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

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.

• Lamont Peterson Upsets Amir Khan By Majority Decision, Wins Light Welterweight Crown (StoryStream)
  
• Khan Vs. Peterson Results: Amir Khan Enraged With Referee After Losing To Lamont Peterson
• Khan Vs. Peterson Full Fight Highlights And Reflections On Saturday Night (Half Smokes)
  
• Khan Vs. Peterson: Washington D.C. Shows Up, Makes Its Case For More High-Profile Boxing, by Mike Prada.
• VIDEO: Amir Khan Vs. Lamont Peterson Press Conference Highlights, by Luke Thomas
  

For the complete D.C. Top 10 of 2011 countdown, visit this StoryStream. For more coverage of Washington D.C. sports, visit our D.C. blogs:

• Hogs Haven (Redskins)
• Japers' Rink (Capitals)
• Bullets Forever (Wizards)
• Federal Baseball (Nationals)
• Black and Red United (D.C. United)
• Testudo Times (Maryland)
• Casual Hoya (Georgetown)