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Lamont Peterson was smashed in his last fight, a non-title bout with Lucas Matthysse in May 2013, and there was some concern that the DC native would have some lingering problems due to that beating. Not the case tonight, as Peterson (32-2-1, 16 KO) was able to outbox and outwork Dierry Jean tonight on Showtime from the DC Armory, winning by unanimous decision and retaining his IBF junior welterweight title.
Peterson won on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 118-110. BLH had it 117-111 for Peterson.
Jean (25-1, 17 KO) looked out of his depth by the midway point of the fight, as Peterson took over, imposing his will. He learned pretty quickly on the night that Jean was no particularly big threat to him unless he got careless, and Peterson stayed within the game plan and did his job, putting himself right back in the mix for big fights at 140 pounds, including a potential title unification bout with WBC and WBA titlist Danny Garcia, a fight that Peterson has said he wants.
Jean, 31, showed up to fight and to win, but he just wasn't quite on Peterson's level, and it showed. He wasn't an undeserving challenger or an easy out for Lamont, he was simply not the better man.
Should Peterson get Garcia next, or if not, what would you like to see him do?