• Boxing

Peterson on the verge of Khan agreement

ESPN staff
September 16, 2011
Lamont Peterson has only been beaten once © PA Photos
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Lamont Peterson has confirmed he is "very, very close" to securing a deal to fight Amir Khan in December.

WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion Khan is desperately searching for one more big fight at his current weight class, ahead of his 2012 plans to move to welterweight towards a collision with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

A host of names have been linked to Khan, namely Timothy Bradley, whom the Brit claims is running scared. Khan claims his camp met every term demanded by Bradley, yet the American still didn't want to fight.

As a result, it appears Peterson will step up for a December 10 bout, likely to be held in either Detroit, Washington or Montreal. The 27-year-old has only lost once, but he is the mandatory challenger and expects the fight to be announced in the near future.

"I haven't spoken to my manager and my trainer, and they haven't told me for certain yet, but I knew that we were very, very close," Peterson told the Telegraph. "I knew that we were very close to finalizing the deal for the last week or so, but it's not signed yet.

"Yes, this is the fight that I want right now. It's the fight that I was looking for, and it's a strong fight for me.

"It's the best fight that I can get, because I'm fighting the No. 1 guy in the 140-pound weight class and I'm fighting for the title. It's a fight I know that I can win."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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