by Cliff Rold

A pair of former Jr. welterweight titlists, both really needing a win as they pursue glory at welterweight; both at different moments in their careers providing different levels of desperation.

It’s fun to say fights are can’t lose but this is one where the implications of defeat could be heavy. Lamont Peterson will be 35 later this year. A loss here, following a year out of the ring after a failed challenge of IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence, could reduce him to gatekeeper status if he continued.

Lipinets gave a good account but lost to Mikey Garcia last year at Jr. welterweight. Welterweight proper is loaded, particularly in the PBC corner of the division. While only 29, another loss would serve only to move him farther from future opportunities.

Sounds like a fine way to spend a Sunday night (FS1, 8 PM EST)    

Let’s get into it.

Stats and Stakes

Lamont Peterson

Age: 34

Title: None

Previous Titles: WBA light welterweight (2011); IBF light welterweight (2011-14, 3 defenses); WBA welterweight sub-version (2017)

Height: 5’9

Weight: 145 ¾ lbs.

Hails from: Washington, DC

Record: 35-4-1, 17 KO, 2 KOBY

Record in Major Title Fights: 4-2, 2 KO (5-2, 2 KO including WBA sub-title at welterweight)

Last Five Opponents: 119-5-1 (.956)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: John Brown TKO8; Tim Bradley L12; Victor Ortiz D10; Amir Khan SD12; Kendall Holt TKO8; Lucas Matthysse TKO by 3; Danny Garcia L12; Errol Spence

Vs.

Sergey Lipinets

Age: 29

Title: None

Previous Titles: IBF light welterweight (2017-18)

Height: 5’7

Weight: 147 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Martuk, Kazakhstan

Record: 14-1, 10 KO KO

Record in Major Title Fights: 1-1

Last Five Opponents: 135-15-1 (.897)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Mikey Garcia L12

The Pick: Skipping straight to the pick, this could be a very entertaining fight. A lot of Peterson fightsare and it’s truer when the styles play to Peterson’s trends. Peterson has always seemed to be most vulnerable early in fights, the sort of guy who gets better as the rounds go by. It’s not always true. Sometimes, as was the case with Spence, the other guy is just better. Will the same prove true for Lipinets? Peterson is naturally taller and longer, still throws hard and quickly to the body based on the last time we saw him, and has much more professional experience. Lipinets may have the faster feet and is able to get in with the jab, lead hook, or a lead over hand right. The biggest question here might be how much Peterson has left, or at least how much he still wants it. Fighting in front of the locals near Washington, DC, let’s assume the pride of home court still matters. Peterson hasn’t looked shot yet and, at his age, the time off might well serve to refresh his legs. The pick is Peterson to have a stronger second half and win a nail biter on Sunday night.

Rold Picks 2019: 16-7

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com