After numerous world title fights against some of the best boxers of the past few years, Lamont Peterson hopes that a win over IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. on January 20 will put him one step closer to boxing immortality.
Peterson spoke at a press conference where Fightful took part in and said his only goal remaining as a boxer would be to end up in the Hall of Fame. Peterson doubts his career up to this point is quite not enough to get him into the Hall of Fame but a win over an unbeaten world champion in his prime like Spence would put him one step closer to reaching that goal of his.
"When I got into boxing, I had goals. First I wanted to be a National Champion, then a world champion as a professional, but the ultimate goal is to be in the Hall of Fame. With that being my goal, I wouldn't put myself in that conversation yet. With wins over a guy like Errol Spence and the other top welterweights, I think I'm right there in it. That's my goal and I'll give it my all to get there. I don't worry about any negativity. My resume is written in the history books. All I can do is respect the opinion of others and work hard to get this win," Peterson said.
Despite his impressive resume that includes world title reigns in two weight classes, Peterson's fight schedule has been inconsistent for the past several years. Peterson has only fought 10 times since the end of 2010 and hopes that a win over Spence would bring him more fights in 2018.
"If you left it to me I'd fight every month. That's how much I love the sport. I know a victory would help me get in the ring even more often. Sometimes if you lose at the top level, other top guys don't want to take a chance against you. I can fix all of that this weekend," Peterson said.
The two will headline a Showtime Championship Boxing card at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Fightful will have live coverage of the event from inside the Barclays Center. Check out Fightful's preview of the fight on the latest edition of the Fightful Boxing Newsletter.