Lamont Peterson vs. Felix Diaz: Card, TV Schedule for Premier Boxing Champions
Lamont "Havoc" Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KO) won't be at home for his bout against undefeated Dominican Felix Diaz Jr. (17-0, 8 KO) on Saturday afternoon, but he'll be really close. The Washington D.C. native will take on Diaz in the headline bout of the Premier Boxing Champions on NBC event live from EagleBank Arena, George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia.
The 144-pound catchweight scrap will be preceded by a welterweight clash between undefeated prospects. The 23-year-old Prichard Colon (16-0, 13 KO) from Puerto Rico will face Los Angeles native Terrel Williams (14-0, 12 KO) in what could prove to be an explosive undercard bout.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
When: Saturday, October 17 at 4 p.m. ET
Where: EagleBank Arena, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
TV: NBC
Bombs Away
Between them, Colon and Williams have scored knockout wins in 83 percent of their fights. With such high collective KO rates, it makes sense to expect a bout that ends when one man is unable to continue.
Colon would appear to have the highest ceiling. He's been fighting consistently since turning professional in 2013. He's also coming off a fourth-round KO win over former champion "Vicious" Vivian Harris in September.
Granted, Harris isn't so vicious anymore at the age of 37, Colon has done enough in his career thus far to generate some legitimate buzz.
Williams is an excellent all-around athlete who has also used his power to make a mark in the welterweight division. His unanimous-decision win over John Williams in August snapped a streak of 14 consecutive wins by KO/TKO. When he steps into the ring with Colon, it will be a major step up in competition for him.
Williams was the first opponent he's faced who has a winning record—let alone an undefeated mark. This could wind up being a showcase bout for Colon, or a surprisingly competitive scrap between two guys not eager to let the "0" in their records go.
Havoc and the Olympian
Peterson has what looks like a very winnable fight in front of him in the main event. That assessment isn't meant to disrespect Diaz—who won the Olympic gold medal in 2008—but he's giving up a lot to the former 140-pound champion.
Aside from the likely home-field advantage, Peterson is also four inches taller with a five-inch edge in reach and more professional experience. Peterson is coming off a disappointing majority-decision loss to Danny "Swift" Garcia in April—in a fight I felt Havoc deserved to win.
Per Premier Boxing Champions, Peterson sounds like a guy who is ready to turn the page and get back to his winning ways. Peterson said:
"I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially close to home in Virginia and fighting on NBC. I'm happy just to be doing what I love to do. I’ve been in the gym and I’ve stayed ready, so I’m prepared to give the fans the kind of show they deserve."
On the undercard of the Peterson-Garcia card, Diaz won a comfortable unanimous decision over Gabriel Bracero. He recognizes Peterson as the best opponent he'll have faced in his professional career.
Diaz said: "I’m very thankful for this opportunity, and I know that Lamont Peterson will be my toughest battle so far. I am confident that at the end of the fight, I will have my hand raised."
If Diaz is to make good on his word, he'll have to find a way to close the distance against Peterson, who has demonstrated enhanced boxing skills of late. A win for Diaz would launch him to the next level among welterweights.
If Peterson prevails, he'll put himself in position to challenge some of the best in the sport. After years at 140 pounds, a second consecutive catchweight bout will likely lead Peterson to a career at 147 pounds. In the meantime, Diaz will be waiting and ready to make Havoc's path to welterweight as bumpy as possible.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
