Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson
Photo by Keystone Boxing
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Lamont Peterson and his beard will try to be the first to defeat Garcia and his extra digit. Will Peterson be tentative, with the lingering effects of being penetrated by Lucas Matthysse still fresh in his mind? Garcia doesn’t hit like that beast, but he’s certainly got enough pop to ruin Peterson if he’s not careful, especially with that excellent left hook of his. Peterson will of course attempt to outbox Garcia, using his reach and speed advantages. And it can be done – despite what three asshole judges thought, Mauricio Herrera outclassed Garcia when they met last March. Still, I think Danny is the better fighter here, and I’m not convinced that Peterson has the chin to stand up to him without getting dinged badly. Garcia will get the win and claim the 143 lb Junior-But-Almost-Welterweight Title that I made up.
Prediction: Garcia
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
I’m telling you right now, do not pick against Garcia based solely off his 2014 campaign, hate him or love him, he’s a talented and strong fighter.
Peterson needs to outwork Garcia if he wants to win this fight, he can do so, he’s a very hard-working fighter who not only has a reach advantage, but also knows how to bang on the inside.
The only problem with that is Garcia is very good at making aggressive fighters pay for their mistakes. The two most impressive wins of his career came against Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse, who Garcia made pay for their aggression. Keep an eye on Garcia’s counter left hook which carries enough power to knockout anybody in the division.
I think Peterson’s grit and experience sees him to the final bell, I just don’t think he’s exceptional enough at any one thing to out-point Garcia.
Prediction: Garcia
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Garcia (29-0, 17KOs) is the better boxer and the better puncher. Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) has a tremendous heart and will be relentless in coming after Garcia. I am looking for Garcia to control the action and keep Peterson at the end of his jab.
Peterson would prefer to be inside and hammering away but will have a difficult time handling Garcia’s first class counter punching. Garcia knows he needs to make a statement.
I like Garcia to win by decision. If Garcia takes command early enough, I wouldn’t rule out a stoppage.
Prediction: Garcia
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Regardless of belts, crowns or titles, Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson is a good fight. It’s like when you browse through YouTube and you find a video of two guys fighting in the back alley of a McDonalds. If it’s a good fight, you watch it, simple as that. Who cares about WBC or WBA or WWE for that matter. All we want to see is a good scrap, and Garcia vs. Peterson at 143 pounds is a good scrap.
I think Peterson may have some early success if he sticks to the game plan and boxes Garcia. Peterson has to be quick and get in and out of Garcia’s range. Before Garcia took Amir Khan’s head off, he was being thoroughly outclassed and beat to the punch. The problem is that Peterson, a lot like that version of Khan, likes to make things more difficult than they need to be and likes to mix it up on the inside.
I think it’s highly probably that Peterson will be baited into a fire fight and that’s where it will all go down hill. Garcia will counter and find a home for his monstrous hook that will be all she wrote.
Prediction: Garcia
