Victor Ortiz vs. Lamont Peterson Dec. 11, promoter says
Oxnard’s Victor Ortiz will have the opportunity to gain another world title shot when he meets Lamont Peterson on Dec. 11 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, a junior-welterweight bout that was announced by Ortiz’s promoter on Monday.
The 23-year-old Ortiz (28-2-1, 22 knockouts) was destined for a title shot last year before suffering a surprising technical-knockout loss to Marcos Maidana in a Staples Center main event. Ortiz has since rallied with four victories, including a third-round knockout of veteran Vivian Harris on Sept. 18 at Staples Center.
“He got his confidence back from the scene of the crime, and we believe he’ll show in December that he’s ready now to fight anyone at 140 pounds,” promoter Richard Schaefer said of boxing’s most talented division.
Ortiz-Peterson will precede the main event pitting Maidana (29-1, 27 KOs) against WBA champion Amir Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) on HBO. Schaefer said Ortiz will get a shot at either the Maidana-Khan winner or the winner between champions Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander, who meet in January.
"Victor's fully back, armed and dangerous," Schaefer said.
Peterson (28-1, 14 KOs) has only lost to Bradley. Peterson was a member of promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank stable, but Golden Boy Promotions' Schaefer cautioned the bout does not represent a laying down of swords between the rival promoters. Peterson no longer fights for Top Rank, and is currently being represented by his manager/father figure Barry Hunter.
"Lamont's back is against the wall, so Victor will be facing a dangerous opponent, but we believe Victor will win the fight and show he's ready for anyone in this weight class," Schaefer said.
--Lance Pugmire
Photo: Victor Ortiz celebrates after knocking out Vivian Harris in September. Credit: Mark Ralston / AFP /Getty Images
