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Lamont Peterson's manager/trainer Barry Hunter says that his fighter is still waiting to figure out if his next fight will be a rematch with Amir Khan or a fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, but notes that Peterson would personally prefer to rematch Khan. From Rick Reeno at BoxingScene.com:
"It’s still pretty much up in the air, but I know Lamont's preference is Khan. Most of that is his own personal reasons. But you can’t look at this stuff and take it personal, it’s all business. The things that’s intriguing about the Marquez fight, is it is Marquez, who is definitely going down as a Hall of Fame fighter. But that fight with Amir, that was one hell of a fight. And I’m with Lamont, I want to see that again also."
This is a really noteworthy and significant quote from Hunter, since it just might lend some true insight into what's next for Peterson, who is currently far hotter than he's ever been as a pro fighter thanks to his December 10 upset of Amir Khan. Controversy or not, Lamont Peterson is a made man now.
The good news for Peterson is he can't really make a wrong choice here. Richard Schaefer says that he's offered $1.5 million and 50-50 revenue worldwide to Peterson for a rematch with Khan, which is a great deal. Think what you want about how Golden Boy has handled all of this, but they're offering a great deal (in part because Peterson and Hunter being reluctant to just sign on has made them do so, so hats off to Peterson and Hunter).
But the Marquez idea is interesting because of what it could lead to after that. Another win over Amir Khan certainly solidifies Peterson as one of the top fighters out there, but so does a win over Marquez, and a win over Marquez could lead to a shot at Manny Pacquiao in November, if Pacquiao were to fight and defeat Timothy Bradley. Bob Arum's tournament idea is quite a proposition if it all works out, and I think for these guys to all take the fights (particularly Marquez and Peterson), they'd have to be assured that they're locked in for that November date. In fact, Marquez has basically said he'll fight Peterson, and gladly do so, but he needs to be guaranteed Pacquiao (or Bradley).
Which fight would you rather see, just straight-up? Peterson vs Khan II, or Peterson vs Marquez?