Errol Spence Defends Title against Lamont Peterson
*BROOKLYN* (Nov. 21, 2017) – Undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion *Errol
“The Truth” Spence Jr.* will make the first defense of his title when he
takes on former two-division world champion *Lamont Peterson *on Saturday,
January 20 live on SHOWTIME. The event is presented by Premier Boxing
Champions from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
and will feature undercard attractions that will be announced in the near
future.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and
TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and go on sale Wednesday, Nov.
22 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com,
barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be
purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting
Thursday, Nov. 23 at noon. Group discounts are available by calling
844-BKLYN-GP. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be
available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
“I’m pleased to be promoting Spence vs. Peterson, one of the very best
matchups in the welterweight division and in all of boxing,” said Lou
DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Spence is not only one of the
best welterweights in the world, but one of the best pound-for-pound
fighters in boxing. In Peterson, he faces another elite welterweight and a
two-time world champion. Spence vs. Peterson will bring the heat to
Barclays Center on a chilly January 20. This is yet another night in the
outstanding run of big time fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.”
“Spence vs. Peterson is an intriguing matchup between two elite
welterweights looking to reach the top of this marquee division,” said Tom
Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Errol Spence is a rising star with his
sights set on title unification and the top of the pound-for-pound list,
but he’s going to receive a stern test from Lamont Peterson, a multiple
division champion whose resume is filled with top class opponents. It’s
going to be another fantastic atmosphere at Barclays Center and a great
night of fights live on SHOWTIME.”
“With his breakout performance against Kell Brook, Errol Spence established
himself as one of top fighters in the welterweight division, if not in all
of boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General
Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Never one to rest on his laurels, Errol
continues to seek out the toughest available opponents, and he has found
exactly that in Lamont Peterson. Lamont has never backed down from a
challenge, and as a result, he has a wealth of experience with one of the
strongest resumes in the division. This type of high profile, dangerous
matchup is the quintessential SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event.”
“BROOKLYN BOXING enjoyed a banner year in 2017, and we are looking forward
to carrying that momentum into 2018,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn
Sports & Entertainment. “Spence vs. Peterson sets a strong precedent for
the year, with two top welterweights returning to the ring at Barclays
Center to compete for recognition in one of the sport’s most talented
divisions.”
Spence (22-0, 19 KOs), of Dallas, traveled to England to dethrone IBF
147-pound champion and hometown favorite Kell Brook on May 27 on SHOWTIME
in one of the defining fights of 2017. The 27-year-old, who had long been
touted as boxing’s next big thing, fulfilled his promise with a
breakthrough performance, fracturing Brook’s orbital bone en route to an 11
th round TKO. A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Spence will enter the ring at Barclays
Center for the third time after most recently stopping former champion
Chris Algieri in an April 2016 main event. He will fight in Brooklyn for
the fourth time; he earned his title shot by knocking out Leonard Bundu at
the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk in August 2016.
“My goal is to unify the welterweight division in 2018, but this fight is a
true test and Lamont Peterson is a veteran that I definitely will not
overlook,” said Spence. “I sparred him in the amateurs and I know what he
brings to the table. I have to get through him to achieve my goals and that
is what I plan on doing January 20th.”
Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KOs), of Washington, D.C., has won titles at 140 and
147 pounds while facing some of the biggest names in the sport, including
Danny Garcia, Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley. The 33-year-old won the WBA
147-pound title in his last outing Feb. 18 on SHOWTIME before relinquishing
the belt for the chance to challenge Spence. Peterson has won four of his
last five outings, twice fighting at Barclays Center. His Brooklyn debut
saw him defeat Edgar Santana by TKO in 2014 before dropping a narrow
majority draw to Garcia in a 2015 main event in Brooklyn.
“First off, I’m happy to be getting back in the ring,” said Peterson. “I’ve
stayed in the gym and I’m ready to go. This is a fight I wanted and as I
said before when I became a welterweight, I want to fight the best and make
the fights that people want to see. I’m ready to give it my all and give
the fans a great show.”
