All photos by Tom Casino/Showtime
A young, hungry world titleholder meets and experienced former champion tonight as Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (22-0, 19 KOs) takes to the ring to defend his IBF 147-pound world title for the first time against crafty veteran Lamont “Havoc” Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KOs) live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The fists start flying on SHOWTIME at 9:00 pm, EST / 6:00 pm, PST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson and let us know who you think will win.
Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
I think Errol Spence is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and on the verge of becoming a super star in the sport. But, his inactivity is hurting him. We last saw Spence in May when he went to the UK and took Kell Brook’s IBF Welterweight title in a very good scrap. This will be his first title defense in Brooklyn on Saturday night.
Speaking of inactivity, Lamont Peterson has only fought once in the last three years. A unanimous decision win over David Avanesyan last February. A former title holder at Super Lightweight, Peterson is a worthy challenger.
Spence is too good, too big and too strong for Peterson. Ring rust will show early on. Once Spence gets going around the third round, he will be too much for Peterson. Spence stops Peterson in the mid rounds and hopefully gets his career moving forward in the year 2018.
Prediction: Spence
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
This is a tough one for me. I love Lamont Peterson. His robbery against Danny Garcia was the first bout I watched in recent memory. Peterson is the definition of extreme athleticism and he has channeled that athleticism to turn himself into a top-class fighter.
Errol Spence however, is a different story entirely. From the first bell until the end of the fight, Spence cares only about destroying his opponent. His incessant attacks and powerful shots to both the body and head wear down his opponent until they’re down on the mat.
I could see this being a very exciting fight, with Spence constantly pressing the more counter-attacking Peterson, but I can’t see “King Pete” lasting past the eighth round.
Prediction: Spence
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Spence
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
It’s the NFL’s Super Sunday!
We have two fighters that hail from two cities whose championship-winning NFL franchises both failed to make the playoffs. But, I’m here to give the fan bases some Super Bowl flavor.
Lamont Peterson is a battle-tested veteran with a respectable resume. Unfortunately, at Welterweight, his offense will likely be productive between the 20’s, but his reliable ground game–body work–will result in more FG’s than TD’s in a limited number of red zone visits. And, we’ve yet to see any career Welterweight badly hurt Errol Spence Jr throwing over the top.
In contrast, Spence has what the Dallas Cowboys had when they won three Super Bowl in four years–deadly triplets. Spence can and will score TD’s from anywhere on the field with his own vaunted ground game, or through an accurate air attack–once Peterson’s defense is softened up.
This fight could get out of hand in the third quarter, and be called off before the game clock even reaches 00:00.
Lightning might strike in the vicinity.
A lot has changed since these two scrimmaged years ago when Spence was starting out, and I just can’t see the older and smaller Peterson turning the stronger Spence over enough to seal an upset. Have to salute Spence for taking the field when not many other teams were willing to suit up.
Prediction: Spence
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Lamont Peterson is fighting for the time in almost a year. Peterson, 33 years old, fighting after close to a year layoff, and fighting someone the caliber of Errol Spencer Jr. is not a recipe for a successful return. I don’t expect Peterson to cause much of any problem for Spence Jr.
Peterson will use his lateral movement and speed to keep Spence Jr. at bay for a few rounds. Spence Jr. will be able to cut off the ring fairly well and will eventually be able to land his punches. I don’t believe Peterson will be able to withstand Spence Jr.’s power and the referee will be forced to stop the fight in the seventh round.
Prediction: Spence
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
It’s easy to get hyped on Errol Spence Jr. based on his poise, past performances and perfect record.
He dug deep his career best win to erase a points deficit and defeat Kell Brook for the IBF strap eight months ago in his only fight in 2017. In fact, he fought only twice the year before.
His inactivity is probably the reason for choosing Lamont Peterson as his foe for this fight. It is not because Peterson is an easy touch, but Peterson himself has had only three fights in the past three years.
Peterson’s resume however, is superior to Spence at this time. He has faced Tim Bradly Jr., Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan, Kendall Holt, Lucas Matthysse and Danny Garcia, while Spence’s best opponents are Chris Algieri and Brook.
This is a far more dangerous match than many may think for the aspiring young superstar nicknamed “The Truth.” I think Spence will pull it out by decision however I may choose differently had Peterson been staying active.
The young tiger will learn a few new tricks during the fight but is versatile and will adapt, Spence by decision.
Prediction: Spence
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
I am excited about this fight because I feel that Lamont Peterson could test Errol Spence more than any of Errol’s previous opponents, including the man he beat for the title, Kell Brook.
If Peterson comes out aggressive, he could make the early rounds competitive. But Spence has the edge in power, speed and confidence.
Peterson is not known to take the initiative early and it will cost him again.
Prediction: Spence
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson is not a very hard fight to predict. Spence is moving up in rank very quickly due to his great boxing ability and devastating punching power. Peterson, a veteran of the game and one to never back away from any challenge has always been competitive against some of the biggest talents of the sport, and his career can be defined as an underdog, pulling off the upset when least expected.
Moreover, Peterson’s experience has led him on to great victories, but his fatal flaw rests on his natural fighting instincts and ends up getting sucked into fights rather than sticking to a boxing game plan.
Kell Brook showed last May, that Spence can have some troubles against opponents who stick to boxing. Peterson may have a chance at scoring an upset victory, if not a draw, if, he sticks to boxing.
But, old habits die hard and I predict Peterson getting sucked into an exchange, just like he did against Lucas Matthysse and suffered a knockout loss as a consequence.
The real interest to see here is just how quickly Spence can steamroll over Peterson. This is a performance test to see what kind of level Spence is in, and who better to test him than Peterson?
Prediction: Spence
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson is a good scrap to kick off the year in the Welterweight division. Spence, like his nickname suggests, is the truth.
Peterson must be applauded for stepping up to the plate when guys like Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia–two fighters who are healthy and capable, unlike Keith Thurman at the moment–declined the challenge.
But, you don’t get victories for simply taking a fight, and it would seem that Peterson is in for a short and painful night.
Peterson’s strengths–wearing opponents down and banging the body in the trenches as the fight wears on–are also Spence’s strengths. The difference is that Spence is a younger and stronger fighter who Peterson won’t be able to break down.
I like Spence via mid-to-late stoppage.
Prediction: Spence
