Peterson outpoints Jean to retain IBF title
Lamont Peterson (32-2-1) beat Dierry Jean (25-1) on points to retain his IBF light-welterweight title in Washington.
Peterson had a point to prove after being brutally stopped inside three rounds by Lucas Matthysse in a non-title fight last time.
And the 30-year-old showed that he had overcome last year's setback by dominating the previously unbeaten Jean with scores of 118-111, 116-112, and 115-113.
"I knew when I looked at him that he was pretty small and I would be physically stronger than him." Peterson said.
"He's pretty muscular, but I'm a pretty good inside fighter and know how use my leverage, so I wanted to put my body on him and back him up."
Peterson stamped his authority on the fight in the second round with a sharp left hook, but Jean fought back and the pair traded heavy shots in the next two before the challenger's eye began to swell.
And the champion was in control in the fifth as he landed clean blows at will with both hands, and although Jean remained competitive in some lively exchanges Peterson was always doing enough to retain his strap.
"Everybody try to make a big deal out of one loss," Peterson said of the Matthysse defeat. "But if the best fight the best, sometimes it's going to be a knockout.
"I always prepare myself to win when I step in the ring, but I know you can lose. My whole life it's never been easy, so why would it be easy now?
"I am built to get those setbacks and then you can always come back. That's the way I represent. I think that's my purpose in life."