Top Washington D.C. Sports Stories Of 2011, No. 9: Lamont Peterson A Champion As Boxing Returns To D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 10: Lamont Peterson punches Amir Khan during their WBA Super Lightweight and IBF Junior Welterweight title fight at Washington Convention Center on December 10, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Lamont Peterson's stunning upset of Amir Khan in the first boxing title fight in Washington D.C. in 18 years earned the No. 9 spot on our Top 10 list.

It's been 18 years since Washington D.C. hosted a boxing title fight. On that night, Riddick Bowe easily defended his title by knocking out Jesse Fergusen in the second round. What transpired at the Washington D.C. Convention Center between Amir Khan and local challenger Lamont Peterson in December was just a little more dramatic.

The fight lasted the full 12 rounds, and in a stunner, Peterson was named the winner, stealing the IBF and WBA light welterweight crowns from Khan. The fight was as even a title bout as you'll ever see. Khan stormed ahead early, but Peterson fought back late to get back in the match. Khan's speed proved to be a problem late, but two point penalties for pushing ultimately made the difference as Peterson was named the champion. After it was over, a packed house went wild cheering on their hometown hero.

Khan, for his part, cried foul. Before the fight began, he talked about moving up weight classes to eventually fight Floyd Mayweather. He was so confident that he would defeat Peterson that he agreed to fight him in his home city. Instead, he lost and was not happy about it, uttering one of the most memorable lines of the year in D.C. sports.