This well promoted event by PMG Boxing in conjunction with Swanson communications drew out the DC boxing crowd compelling Mayor Adrian Fenty to attend the event, it did not hurt that newly crowned WBC Light Middleweight (154) champion Floyd Mayweather decided to grace the event also. Other boxing celebrities out in force included Sharmba Mitchel., and Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson.

OWENS ROUGHS UP TAYLOR

The first fight of the evening was a scheduled four round Super Middleweight bout  between DC combatants John Owens 3-3, 2KO and Reginald Taylor (5-0, 3ko).

John in the black trunks first shots wobbled Taylor immediatly and went on the offensive with jabs and digging body shots that sends Taylor backing up as John tries to cut him off. John launched a couple of combinations that caught Reginald off guard and sent him to the canvas for a standing eight count from the referee. and the fight continues with John getting careless with his defense as he walks into a wild overhand right from the desperate Reginald.

Johns constant pressure does not give Reginald enough time to cover up and a straight one two combination sends him to the canvas again, but he fights back hard after getting up even slightly dazing John at the close of the round. Round to John

An emboldened John begins cutting off the ring chasing the back pedelling Taylor, but John lands some hard shots that land flush making Reginald go down hard, he gets another eight count from the referee but some jabs and a flurry of digging body shots forces the referee to wave off the fight at the 1.06 minute of the 2nd round.

LAMONT GRINDS DOWN BROWN

The second fight co-feature of the evening after the Mayor Adrian Fenty and Mayweather had taken up their seats was the bout between the older Lamont Peterson undefeated in 20 fights against John Brown a one time NABF Super Featherweight Title Champion; and a huge step up in class for Lamont as Brown had previously ducked it out with Shane Mosley, Diego Corrales and Angel Manfredy, Gabriel Ruelas and even season two runner up Stevie Forbes. Brown's losing record of 23-12-1, 11ko's including losing 6 of his last 10 fights seemed to indicate it was a safe fight for the Peterson team. But Brown's focused determination in the ring during the introductions and whispers from the media crew that he had just buried a family member had me thinking of an upset ala Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson over a century ago.

Both guys meant business and went immediatly to work in a bruising eight round affair with Lamont leading with jabs as Simon begins weaving and countering. Lamont begins hooking some vicious shots to the body of Simon who counters heavily with some hooks to the head. Brown begins to get wild towards the end of the round and misses a monster hook as Lamont hooks on the inside to finish the round. I score it for Lamont.

From then on Peterson begins dominating the fight with some very heavy handed body shots as he tries to slow down Brown who showed why he is known as the Eastern Beast as he uses his ring experience to corner Peterson against the ropes. But the younger and faster Peterson counters and flurries back effectively even landing 10 straight shots to the head and body in the second round.

The pace of the fight was gruelling and you where so engrossed in the fight as the traded some very heavy shots sending sweat flying into the 2nd row seats. Peterson tries to slow down Brown repeatedly with body shots opening himself to Browns counters which somehow lack the power to faze Peterson.

By round five Brown was all swollen up and begins to visibly cringe from the punishment Peterson was administering. They both exchange some vicious inside hooks but Lamont lands the heavier shots to the body as Brown begins flailing away at him in desperation even managing to wobble Peterson Lamont in the final minutes of the 6th. round. By the 7th Brown had slowed down considerably as the punishment and vicious body attack by Peterson began taking its toll and Peterson chases him down looking for the kayo which came in the 28 second of the eight round with a vicious combination that snapped Brown against the ropes.

The referee Kenny Chevalier up close in the action saw something that forced him to rush in to get between the combatants to stop the fight and he got hopelessly tangled up in the flurry between the heated fighters, before finally being able to seperate them to end the fight.

STOP THE FIGHT

In the fifth fight of the evening Lightweights Filiberto Nieto and Angel Estrada were ushered into the ring. Nieto was sporting a record of 1-3, 1 ko against Estrada's 2-0-1, 1ko, so it seemed to me that it was an evenly matched event until the bell rang and it became apparent that Nieto lacked basic professional defensive skills as Estrada connected almost immediatly with winging crosses that landed flush and shook Angel to the bone, he tried jabbing back  amateurishly only to get caught with a hellecious right hand.

By the second round I was already yelling for the fight to be stopped to the comical delight of some media representatives and some members of the crowd as Estrada kept walking into uppercuts  and jabs. Nieto to his credit fought as valiantly as he could but it was clear to all that he was hopelessly outclassed. By the fourth round the referee thankfully waved off the massacre awarding Estrada a TKO victory at the 1.36 mark of the 3rd round.

THE END FOR LARRY BROTHERS

Persistent but durable journey man and visibly fit Larry Brothers( 7-25-3., 5 ko's) put up a competitive perfornance against Jesse Nickow before running out of steam in the 3rd round forcing the referee backed by his corner and certain ringside elements to to stop the fight at the 27th.

A poster boy example for journey men being used to build up records for other up coming fighters, it is still worthwhile to note that he has fought five times in 2007 alone, and most amazingly just a week ago. But to his credit he always comes to fight, and we hope he takes can rest his gloves knowing that he earned one additional fan by his testimonial perseverance in the face of all these defeats and career mismanagement.  Punch On

THE 13TH ROUND

In a discussion with my fellow boxing beat compatriots I was horrified to learn about how much fighters generally take home per contract, and unwritten institutionalized rules of TV networks and the boxing establishment. I was doubly horrified that my compatriots also agreed with some of the take home pay of these fighters. Nevertheless important points were scored about the undeserved pay of some current champions on the major networks, which I grudgingly agree about. Still following that line of thinking that fighters should be paid according to the gate the bring has me cringing about the take home pay of no name boxers. Boxing is indeed a dirty game which takes no prisoners. Somebody Lobby for a National Boxing Commission. Punch On

Washington, D.C. (May 30, 2007) – They say stars bring out stars. Anthony and Lamont Peterson, fast-tracking their way to boxing stardom, did just that Friday night when they both made their successful hometown debuts in front of more than 3,500 fans and a host of celebrities including boxing’s biggest star Floyd Mayweather, and NBA Star and PMG Boxing President Steve Francis, the promoter of the event. They joined ringside by District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, CNN anchorman Wolf Blitzer, D. C. Council members Vincent Gray, Kwame Brown and Harry Thomas Jr., NFL All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook, NBA All-Star Caron Butler, former world champions Mark Johnson, Keith Holmes and Sharmba Mitchell and well-known District columnist Harry Jaffe. The highlight of the evening was the presence of more than 100 military men and women—along with their family members—from Walter Reed Hospital in Northwest, Washington , who were guests of the promoter.

In addition, more than 40 media members graced press row with a strong presence from national and local media outlets including USA Today, espn.com, The Washington Post, The Washington Times and a host of local television, radio and web-based boxing outlets.

Mayweather, in DC for a host of Memorial Day weekend events, received a proclamation from the Mayor during an in-ring ceremony, and watched closely as the brothers performed in co-main events for the ESPN2 Friday Night broadcast. “I have heard a lot about them and wanted to see for myself what all the hype was about,” said Mayweather. “I was extremely impressed by their true boxing skills. I see them having very successful future careers in the sport.”

Francis, who is an integral part of bringing boxing back to the District of Columbia , and hopes to return with an even bigger boxing event in the fall, was reflective on the overall turnout for the event. “I am extremely pleased with the attendance and support the celebrity community gave to this event,” said Francis. “It a good indication that boxing is alive and well in the area and more events are possible. It also helps to have future stars driving the local interest for a sport that has such a rich history in D.C.”

The Petersons plan is to step up their competition and compete at championship levels. Anthony, ranked #1 in the WBO, is seeking his mandatory championship challenge bout and with Lamont also seeking a top contender challenge. “Our goal is to be great champions and we are now almost there,” said Anthony. “Anything less would be unacceptable.”

Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2007) – Fans will be treated to a stellar night of boxing as two of its' brightest rising stars, Anthony and Lamont Peterson, make their hometown debut at the DC Armory on May 25, 2007, headlining a live ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast beginning at 9 pm EST. The show is being promoted by PMG Boxing, Inc. a subsidiary of the Peake Management Group. PMG Boxing, Inc. is headed by President and current NBA Star Steve Francis and company founder Nate Peake.

In the evening's main event Anthony Peterson (NABO Lightweight Champion 22-0, 16KO's) will take on Luis Ernesto Jose(27-4-2, 24 KO's) of the Dominican Republic for the NABO Lightweight Championship while brother Lamont Peterson (WBC United States Light Welterweight Champion 20-0, 8KO's), will go against journeyman John Brown (23-12-1, 11KO's) of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

"I can't wait to make my hometown debut in front of my family and friends who won't have to travel to see this one," said Thompson. "The place is going to be packed with our fans whom have been waiting to see us fight at home."

"Ever since my brother and I turned pro we have wanted to fight at home," said Anthony Peterson. "With both of our careers on the brink of national success and world championships, the hometown crowd and fighting on national television brings us one step further to realizing our dreams."

In addition to the great fight card, and in recognition of Memorial Day weekend, PMG Boxing will also pay tribute to the military men and women injured during the Iraqi war now recovering at Walter Reed Hospital in Northwest, Washington. Tickets and transportation to the show will be donated to those recovering at the hospital, their families and Walter Reed staff members.

Anthony Peterson turned pro in 2004 and has won all 22 of his professional fights, including 16 by way of KO. His brother Lamont turned pro at the same year and has won all 20 of his professional fights including 8 by way of KO. Both brothers have become virtual house fighters on ESPN's fight cards, propelling their careers into the spotlight. The Peterson brothers may be two of the best-kept secrets in professional boxing today. Due to the tutelage of mentor/trainer Barry Hunter since they began, the Peterson brothers left an impoverished background on the streets of D.C., to become two of the hottest prospects in the boxing world today.

Weigh-In/Ticket Information:

The Weigh-In will take place at the 6 p.m. sharp and fighters will be available for interviews immediately following:

Holiday Inn Hotel on the Hill (Federal South Ball Room)

415 New Jersey Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20001

(202) 434-0124

Tickets are priced at $150 VIP ringside, 100 ringside, $75, $50 and $30 and are now on sale through all Ticketmaster Outlets or by calling (202) 432-SEAT.