03.08.08 – by James Slater – On last night’s Clottey-Judah bill, unbeaten 23-year-old lightweight Anthony Peterson of Washington D.C advanced to 28-0(19) with a virtual shout-out over the very tough Javier Jauregui of Mexico, the former IBF 135-pound champion. One judge had it 99-91 for Peterson, the other two gave him everything at 100-90..
The teak-tough 34-year-old, who has wins over Jose Luis Castillo and the late Leavander Johnson, gave Peterson a good night’s work in falling to 53-15-2(36).
Soaking up everything the talented Peterson had to hit him with, Jauregui kept coming and trying all night. Occasionally landing a good shot of his won, such as in the 3rd when he caught his man with a decent right uppercut to the face, or in the 5th when he came on to land a couple of dangerous-looking over-hand rights, the Mexican never gave up. Slower than Peterson, not as hard a puncher and somewhat ring worn, the 34-year-old nevertheless showed why he has only ever been stopped four times in 70 pro bouts.
With punches bouncing off his head pretty much all night, Jauregui did manage to cause a slight swelling underneath the younger boxer’s left eye. That aside, and apart from the fact he never got the stoppage he never gave up trying to get, Peterson gave a good account of himself. Standing between rounds, the Barry Hunter-trained fighter certainly had no shortage of stamina. Throwing lots of punches, usually in bunches, Peterson put out a lot of good work. His left jab especially looking sharp and accurate, it is now time to see if the more gifted of the two Peterson brothers (Lamont also being a good fighter) can make a big move up in class.
Last night’s fight was a decent test, but in wining every round we have yet to see how Anthony will react when and if he’s hit hard or put under real pressure by a top-notch contender. He is keeping busy though, with three fights already under his belt this year. And in fairness to the 23-year-old, this was probably his best name opponent so far.
Still trying with his over-hand right in the later rounds, the Mexican with a shock absorber for a chin refused to go anywhere, and despite his best efforts Peterson had to make do with his second points win in a row.
It is now time for the slightly younger and bigger-punching of the two Peterson brothers to make his move into real world class opposition. It’s time we found out just how good he is.