There were some interesting quotes from both men at today’s press conference.
A somewhat tired but no less distasteful “I’m ready to die to keep my titles” statement came from Peterson (how may fighters, from Fernando Vargas to Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, have made this vow in recent years?). While a more-relaxed Khan said “You can see by Lamont Peterson’s eyes, he knows he lost the first fight.”
Peterson, who will be making his first title defence, said he ultimately agreed to the rematch “for the fans..”
“We fought and it was a great fight and I want to please the fans and that’s why I took the fight,” he said. “The Khan camp seems to have some problems about what happened in the first fight. Nothing shady happened.”
Well, it did, because the infamous “man in the hat” was present, he wasn’t supposed to be yet he was, and his ringside presence was a large part in the demand for a return fight. Khan will never believe he was a just points loser last December. But the former champ says he does have a lot of respect for Peterson – only the second man to have beaten him at pro level – and that he feels the return fight is “make or break” for him.
“I’ll train like a challenger,” Khan said. “I’ve got so much to lose. I’m going back to the drawing board to do things right.”
Khan simply has to get it right on the night, as it has been reported that there will be no rematch clause when the two rumble again. Should Peterson win once again, he is certain to move on (maybe move up in weight) and fight another big name.
It’s a cliché, but a fighter’s very career will be on the line in this fight: Amir Khan’s.
Will it be repeat or will it be revenge come May 19th? Khan may be the bookies favourite, but no-one will be betting the house on the outcome of this one.