David Avanesyan will defend his interim WBA welterweight title against former world champ Lamont Peterson on Feb. 18. The duel will serve as the co-feature to the Adrien Broner – Adrian Granados event on Showtime from inside the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
“It is a great pleasure for me to be defending my title in the U.S. against a very good opponent in Lamont Peterson,” said Avanesyan. “I am the champion and come Feb. 18 I will remain champion. This fight gives me a great opportunity to let the U.S. know what I’m about and put me in a position to fight the top fighters in the division. This will be a difficult defense but I am ready to show everyone how good I am.”
Peterson (34-3-1, 17 KOs) was edged by Danny Garcia in April 2015 and returned with a majority decision win over then-unbeaten Felix Diaz that October. But the Washington, D.C. native, who captured both the WBA and IBF junior welterweight titles before moving up to 147 pounds, took all of last year off and is set to pick up where he left off after toppling Diaz.
“I’m extremely excited about getting back in the ring and fighting on Showtime again,” said Peterson. “I’ve been working hard in the gym and I’m ready to give my fans the kind of show they deserve. I know this guy is coming in with a lot of confidence from that belt, but I believe I’m the better fighter and I’ll prove it on Feb. 18.”
Showtime also announced that a heavyweight clash between Marcus Browne (18-0, 13 KOs) and Thomas Williams Jr. (20-2, 14 KOs) will kick off the fistic festivities. The card will be televised live on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.