Khan vs Peterson Rematch: Golden Boy Offers Staples Center, May 19

by Scott Christ on Dec 12, 2011 8:11 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan could be headed to Los Angeles for a May 19 rematch. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Dan Rafael of ESPN.com reports this evening that Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer is holding the Staples Center in Los Angeles for May 19, hoping to stage the rematch between Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan. Peterson has been given the offer for that date.

Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO) scored a huge upset of Khan (26-2, 18 KO) on Saturday night at home in Washington, DC, and earlier Team Khan said they were hoping to lock down a rematch in Las Vegas on March 31, but that doesn't appear to be the target anymore.

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To be perfectly frank, Staples Center is a pretty lousy choice if the idea is to draw fans. The area has not shown much passion lately for big cards, as the Hopkins-Dawson show on October 15 tanked, and the Anaheim rematch between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko died a miserable death at the gate.

Surely, this is the target because Golden Boy are familiar with the commission, with the officials in the state, and they're sure that Khan will not be subject to the alleged injustice he met on Saturday at the point-taking hands of referee Joe Cooper. Los Angeles is their backyard. A gate return may not having anything to do with the idea to go to Los Angeles.

To be very clear, I'm not accusing California of Golden Boy bias here, just saying that they feel as though they can trust California to be more fair than they believe DC was to Amir Khan. They're looking for an advantage here, I believe, but it's nothing any promoter wouldn't be doing in this situation. Khan and Golden Boy still have some power in the negotiations here, because the rematch is likely the biggest fight Peterson can get, and they're going to try to use it.

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if khan doesnt sharpen his arsenal, i really think peterson will dominate him in the rematch. lamont was building power through out the fight. im thinking he takes that head of steam into the rematch and he’ll continue his good work.

by The Twillness on Dec 12, 2011 8:59 PM EST reply actions

I reallyyyy hope they bring this to Staples, for purely selfish reasons. Yes it will probably bomb at the gate, but I will go see it live and that’s all that matters.

The only way Staples sells well is with a popular Mexican fighter, then again that sells well in a lot of places. Peterson and Khan don’t have fanbases here. At Hopkins-Dawson, Khan actually got booed very loudly. Then again so did Pacquiao lol.

by Sammlung on Dec 12, 2011 10:14 PM EST reply actions

i would like to see a rematch. based on the entertaining, competitive and somewhat controversial nature of the first fight, it is deserving.
however, i wouldn’t hold it against peterson if he were to take his time and not jump right into the rematch, and i feel especially that he should not acquiesce to khan and golden boy’s terms.

didn’t peterson turn down a khan fight earlier not just cause of money but cause of other terms? an unfavorable rematch clause or something? i say offer khan the same deal.

granted, this is probably the best money fight for peterson, but why not explore his options? he can call the shots now, or at least should have lots of bargaining power.

by jake_ash on Dec 12, 2011 10:21 PM EST reply actions

Why do people keep urging Peterson not to do an immediate rematch? Most of the reasons I keep hearing are really just spiteful. This is the biggest fight out there for Peterson. I’ve never heard more people arguing against a rematch of a good fight. As long as it’s a fair deal let’s do the damn thing.

by Sammlung on Dec 12, 2011 11:21 PM EST up reply actions

i’m totally down for a rematch.
it just feels like all the reports lately are all from khan/golden boy dictating the date/location.

i just want to see peterson’s team assert some of their newfound bargaining power is all.

by jake_ash on Dec 13, 2011 12:16 AM EST up reply actions

A British guy and a DC guy, so Golden Boy try and find the most far away place for their fans to get to.

The crowd in Washington was really great and deserve another big fight. The judging was hardly ‘hometown judging’ either compared to notable fights in Vegas (Pacquiao v Marquez though it wasn’t a robbery) or Atlantic City (Williams v Lara, which really was)

I understand Khan’s reasoning for not going back, but I think with a Tony Weeks, Kenny Bayless etc as ref, Khan would probably have left as the winner.

Nobody will read this and care and why should they?

by Eoin_not_ian on Dec 12, 2011 10:40 PM EST reply actions