The Washington fighter is looking for a second victory in succession since his crushing non-title loss to Lucas Matthysse in May 2013 and hopes to set-up a clash with Garcia in the process.
“I’m really excited about this fight and about making a statement to the boxing world that I’m the true junior welterweight world champion,” said Peterson. “I know Danny will be watching me, and I’ll be watching him. After August 9, there will be only one fight to make at 140 pounds.
“I let everyone know I want to fight Danny Garcia next because that’s what the fans wanted to see. For me, if the fans want to see me fight someone, I’m going to push for that fight, so that’s what I did. But it just didn’t happen. At the end of the day I’m going to end up fighting a good fighter, Edgar Santana, and hopefully it can happen next time.
“Everything has to make sense from that end. But, if I can win this fight, win or lose, that’s the fight that I want to happen. Of course, me winning the fight will make it more pleasing because I leave with my title and hopefully he leaves with his and maybe it can happen because it’s really the biggest fight you can make at the weight class, it’s the fight that the fans want to see at the weight class and I’m willing to do it.
“I pretty much know Danny is a top fighter. He can handle himself at that level and I can handle myself at that level. So, I won’t be really focused on him or anything like that.
“The first thing I have to do is take care of my business and if I do that, then I’ll just be ready to celebrate and relax and get ready for the next one,” added Peterson.
Garcia fights Rod Salka in a ten-round bout at 142lbs on the bill without his belts on the line, although has been linked to moving up in weight, which could see Peterson ultimately miss out on a dream encounter with the number one in the division.
Garcia vs. Salka, a 10-round welterweight bout on Saturday, August 9, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Dibella Entertainment, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson puts his title on the line against Edgar Santana in a 12-round championship bout. Opening the telecast, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, Brooklyn’s own Daniel Jacobs takes on Jarrod Fletcher up for the vacant WBA Middleweight World Title. The event will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, will air live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling800-745-3000 and at the American Express Box Office. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.
Garcia v Salka, Peterson v Santana and Jacobs v Fletcher are live on BoxNation this Saturday night from 2am in the UK, to Subscribe click BoxNation
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