It did not bode well for Frankie Santos (15-4-3, 7 KO’s) that he climbed through the ropes to face the highly talented and undefeated junior welterweight Lamont Peterson (22-0, 10 KO’s) after going 1-3-1 in his last four fights. Of course, the fact that Santos (139 ½) was also soft around the middle and had only one bout in the last 27 months did not increase his prospects for longevity against the faster moving and harder hitting Peterson (140).
Peterson, Memphis, Tennessee, via Washington, DC, effectively steamrolled the totally outclassed Santo, Salinas, Puerto Rico with wicked body shots in the opening round of a fight scheduled for twelve heats. Five riveting left hooks to the belly stunned and hurt Santos at the 2:12 mark of the 1st, and Peterson continued to apply heat with withering punches.
The 23-year-old Peterson returned to bouncing hard shots of Santos’ profile in the 2nd and 3rd, as he continued to slow down his opponent. In the 4th, Peterson switched to a southpaw stance and began to showboat somewhat but his opponent never really mounted much of an attack to counter the swifter moving boxer.
In the 5th, Peterson jolted Santos, 28 with a double left hook to the chin and a chopping right hand to the head. Later in the round, Peterson hurt the Puerto Rican with searing body shots to the ribs and the liver. In the 6th, Peterson continued to zero in on his slower moving target and he repeatedly landed hard, crisp two and three-punch combinations that richochtted off of Santos’ face. Prior to the start of the next round, Santos’ corner signaled that their man had suffered enough punishment and the referee ended the contest and Peterson was awarded a sixth round TKO victory.
Source: www.boxingtimes.com
