Boxing News: Anthony Peterson Captures Lightweight Crown

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – On June 16th in front of an overflowing capacity crowd at W.C. Handy Park, Anthony Peterson captured the NABO lightweight title with a commanding 12 round unanimous decision over Adan Hernandez. With the title victory, Anthony improves his record to 18-0 (14 KOs) and joins his brother Lamont Peterson as the only two fighters from the amateur class of 2004 to capture significant titles.

In February of 2006, Lamont captured the WBC USNBC jr. welterweight title with a dominating performance over Jose Moreno at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Due to Anthony’s previous bout on ShoBox in April of this year being watched attentively by NABO President Mark Reels, Anthony was chosen over many prospects to compete for this title.

“I originally had the vacant title match set for July with former world champion Carlos ‘El Famoso’ Hernandez,” said Reels, “but after watching Anthony’s performance on ShoBox I decided to contact his promoter Brian Young and see what we could put together. I called Brian that night and told him I would like to give Anthony an opportunity to compete for the vacant 135 lb. title. Brian made the fight with Adan Hernandez and originally set it for June 17th on the Jermain Taylor versus Winky Wright undercard. Two weeks before the bout Brian informed me that he landed the June 16th ESPN2 date and wanted to shift Anthony and Adan to the main event on ESPN2 and I agreed that it would be great exposure.”

By capturing the NABO title Anthony Peterson should be ranked in the top ten of the WBO rankings. “We are very proud of Anthony for his accomplishment. He dominated Hernandez in every way and is well on his way to achieving his goal of becoming a world champion,” said a proud Brian Young. After watching Anthony’s fight in person Reels stated, “Anthony reminds me a lot of a young Shane Mosley. The way he is able to put his punches together from all angles with such quickness and power reminds me a lot of the lightweight Shane Mosley.

“Anthony has a great future ahead of him,” Reels said in closing. “With a young up and coming promoter like Brian Young and a great manager like Shelly Finkel, Anthony will surely compete for a world title one day.”

Anthony Peterson will be defending his NABO Lightweight Title within the next six months.