It was an absolute cracking and grinding end to end battle between Lamont Peterson and Sergey Lipinets at the GMG National Harbor Sunday 24 March attended by 2,052 boxing fans.
Lupinets 30, (15-1, 11KO) knocked down Peterson in round 10 in what appears to be a gruelling exchanges and burst in wild jubilation on the Premier Boxing Champions top card of the night.
The two boxers went at each other from the sound of the bell for round one. It was action packed and positioned at the center of the ring as they traded pound for pound punches. It was absolute action for virtually the entire period the fight travelled. Peterson was the better of the two boxers and a was ahead of Lipinets from round one to the sixth round.
According to CompuBox, Lipinets landed 264 of 986 punches (27 percent), and Peterson landed 303 of 972 (31 percent). They both threw a career-high punch total.
But it changed in the eight round when Lipinets landed a trenchant sweeping right hook on the chin of Peterson and then another momentarily. Peterson backtracked to the ropes as blood started dripping from his nose eventually he was forced to grab Lipinets to slow the tempo of the aggression from Lipinets then the bell came in to save Peterson as he wobbles to his corner.
Lipinets landed left hook and straight right on the head snapping Peterson head back. Still locked in the center of the ring the boxers traded punches with Lipinets landing more effectively.
Finally Lipinets landed a right overhead hook which shook the legs of Peterson, send him to the ropes, left hook followed and then a big right hand sent Peterson to the canvas.
Hunter, the coach of Peterson throw in the towel, jumped into the ring and held Peterson in his arms whilst referee Harvey Dock waves his hand to bring the fight to an end.
“It’s been a long career, but today is the day. I’m thankful for the support throughout my carrier. I love everyone here, and I’m always going to support this area, but I’m sure it’s time for me to hang it up,” Peterson said. “I couldn’t go out in a better way here at home, main event, this will be the last time you see me in the ring.” Said Peterson in a humble fashion.
“It was back and forth, and we were hitting each other with some good shots,” Peterson said. “It kind of just came out of nowhere at the end. That’s been happening to me more now, and that let me know that it’s time for this to be the last time in the ring.” Peterson added.
“I feel great about the statement I made to the welterweight division,” Lipinets said. “I just fought an excellent fighter. This let me know where I’m at in the 147-pound weight class. You can see that I have no problem with the size. Peterson is an excellent fighter with unbelievable skills, and he’s showed me what I can really do.”
Arguably one this fight could easily pass for the best fight of the year so far.