Lamont Pearson
Encyclopedia
Lamont Pearson, is a professional boxer
in the United States. He currently resides in Cheltenham, Maryland
. His professional record stands at 23-4-1 with 12 knockouts. Each of his four losses have come to current or former world champions.
Lightweight Championship.
After four wins he was held to a draw in 1999 when he fought Philadelphia lightweight
Anthony Washington
(also 4-0 and an experienced amateur) in a six-round bout on an ESPN
2 Friday Night Fights but received glowing remarks from ESPN boxing analyst Teddy Atlas
, who scored the fight for Pearson 57-56.
After the draw with Washington, Pearson steadily began to climb up the Super Featherweight
(Junior Lightweight) ranks (130 lbs/59 kg), reeling off eleven consecutive wins.
This led to his first regional title bout on December 8, 2000. It was also his first bout against a well-known fighter, as he took on ex-contender and southpaw Harold Warren
for the vacant NABA
Super Featherweight Title.
Warren, a 40-year old former two-time world title challenger with a record of 42-14, fought valiantly in a closely contested bout, but Pearson staged a dramatic tweflth round knockout to earn the victory. An uppercut to Warren's jaw late in the final round sent him to the canvas, where he was officially counted out at 2:51 of round twelve, vaulting Pearson to his first title. It would be Warren's last bout of a 57-fight professional career.
In 2001 in an IBF
Super Featherweight Title Eliminator, he would take on another southpaw Carlos Navarro of Los Angeles, with a record 23-1.
Pearson began dismantling Navarro from the opening bell, eventually stopping him in ninth round when Navarro's corner threw in the towel just as their fighter hit the canvas for the second time. With the win, Pearson claimed the USBA
Super Featherweigtht Title and a #1 IBF-ranking.
Pearson defended the USBA title once before suffering a shock loss.
In a non-title bout, Pearson took on last minute replacement Orlando Salido
(record 14-8) in a 10-rounder. In a fight Pearson was expected to dominate, he showed signs of vulnerability early, as Salido won many of the early rounds. Pearson came on late in the fight, but it was not enough to earn the victory, as he suffered his first setback in a unanimous decision loss.
(For Salido this sensational upset would lead to a string of eight consecutive wins—and a failed first world title opportunity against Juan Manuel Márquez
in 2004 and later the winning of a world title in 2006, where claimed the IBF Featherweight crown against Robert Guerrero
.)
After two more wins Pearson got a world title fight anyway, in December 2002, with his record at 19-1-1, he went to Bangkok
, Thailand
to challenge reigning WBA
champion Yodsanan 3-K Battery/Sor Nanthachai for the WBA Super Featherweight title. The bout took place on beloved King Bhumibol's birthday, a national holiday in Thailand, at the Royal Square in front of a reported 75,000 fans. Pearson fought valiantly, but a broken right hand suffered in the second round all but dashed any hopes off pulling off the upset. An awkward landing punch caused the injury, and Pearson had limited use of the hand for the remaining rounds of the fight. He would suffer his first professional knockdown in the ninth round, and eventually his first knockout loss when he was floored and counted out at 1:46 of round nine from a Nanthachai body shot.
Eight months later, in August 2003, Pearson would again fight for the USBA Super Featherweight title against Australian Robbie Peden
. Early in the fight, Pearson began showing discomfort in his surgically repaired right hand. Despite the injury, he fought Peden competitively over the first six rounds before he was forced to retire in his corner before the seventh round. The loss led to a 17-month layoff for Pearson in order to have additional surgery performed on his hand, and allow ample healing time. (Peden eventually became the IBF Super Featherweight champion with a win over Nate Campbell
in 2005.)
By September 2005, Pearson was again fighting for the USBA Super Featherweight title—this time at the Patriot Center
in Fairfax, Virginia
. His opponent would be Brooklyn southpaw Shamir Reyes, who came in with a 18-3-2 record, Pearson stopped him with a bodyshot in the sixth.
In July 2006, Pearson re-emerged in the national spotlight to take on another southpaw in former WBA
Super Featherweight titleholder Joel Casamayor
on an ESPN2's Friday Night Fights broadcast from Phoenix, Arizona
. The bout, scheduled for ten rounds, would be Pearson's first time fighting as a lightweight in a significant bout. Casamayor outgunned Pearson for many of the first eight rounds before the bout was stopped due to a cut around Pearson's right eye in the 9th round.
(Casamayor would claim the WBC lightweight title in his next bout with a victory over Diego Corrales
.)
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the United States. He currently resides in Cheltenham, Maryland
Cheltenham, Maryland
Cheltenham is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, adjacent to U.S. Highway 301. It contains a juvenile correctional facility, the Southern Maryland Farmers market, and Maryland Veterans Cemetery, along with many scenic farms and woods. Nearby is the...
. His professional record stands at 23-4-1 with 12 knockouts. Each of his four losses have come to current or former world champions.
Amateur career
Pearson had a 67-8 record, his career was crowned by a 1998 National Golden GlovesGolden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
Lightweight Championship.
Professional career
Pearson turned pro in 1998 at the advanced age of 27.After four wins he was held to a draw in 1999 when he fought Philadelphia lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
Anthony Washington
Anthony Washington
Anthony Washington is a former American discus thrower, who competed in two consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country. At the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Washington won the gold medal in discus throw.His personal bests are 71.14 m in discus and 59.58 m in hammer throw...
(also 4-0 and an experienced amateur) in a six-round bout on an ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
2 Friday Night Fights but received glowing remarks from ESPN boxing analyst Teddy Atlas
Teddy Atlas
Theodore A. "Teddy" Atlas, Jr. is a well-known boxing trainer and fight commentator.-Personal life:...
, who scored the fight for Pearson 57-56.
After the draw with Washington, Pearson steadily began to climb up the Super Featherweight
Super Featherweight
Super featherweight is a weight division in professional boxing. The maximum weight for this division is 130 pounds or 59 kilograms....
(Junior Lightweight) ranks (130 lbs/59 kg), reeling off eleven consecutive wins.
This led to his first regional title bout on December 8, 2000. It was also his first bout against a well-known fighter, as he took on ex-contender and southpaw Harold Warren
Harold Warren
Harold Ray Warren is a professional boxer in the Welterweight division. He's the former NABF Featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight, and WBO NABO Lightweight champion.-Pro career:...
for the vacant NABA
Naba
Naba may refer to:*Al Naba'ah, an areas of the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates*An-Naba, the 78th sura of the Qur'an*Mogho Naba, King of the Mossi, an ethnic group in Burkina Faso...
Super Featherweight Title.
Warren, a 40-year old former two-time world title challenger with a record of 42-14, fought valiantly in a closely contested bout, but Pearson staged a dramatic tweflth round knockout to earn the victory. An uppercut to Warren's jaw late in the final round sent him to the canvas, where he was officially counted out at 2:51 of round twelve, vaulting Pearson to his first title. It would be Warren's last bout of a 57-fight professional career.
In 2001 in an IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
Super Featherweight Title Eliminator, he would take on another southpaw Carlos Navarro of Los Angeles, with a record 23-1.
Pearson began dismantling Navarro from the opening bell, eventually stopping him in ninth round when Navarro's corner threw in the towel just as their fighter hit the canvas for the second time. With the win, Pearson claimed the USBA
USBA
USBA may refer to:* United States Basketball Academy* United States Boxing Association, the predecessor of the International Boxing Federation* United States Boomerang Association* United States Bicycle Motocross Association...
Super Featherweigtht Title and a #1 IBF-ranking.
Pearson defended the USBA title once before suffering a shock loss.
In a non-title bout, Pearson took on last minute replacement Orlando Salido
Orlando Salido
Orlando Salido Rivera is a Mexican professional boxer. Salido is the current WBO Featherweight Champion and the former IBF Featherweight Champion. Eight of his losses happened between the ages of 15 and 21....
(record 14-8) in a 10-rounder. In a fight Pearson was expected to dominate, he showed signs of vulnerability early, as Salido won many of the early rounds. Pearson came on late in the fight, but it was not enough to earn the victory, as he suffered his first setback in a unanimous decision loss.
(For Salido this sensational upset would lead to a string of eight consecutive wins—and a failed first world title opportunity against Juan Manuel Márquez
Juan Manuel Márquez
Juan Manuel Márquez Méndez , is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the fourth Mexican-born boxer to become a three-division world champion, where he won eight world titles in three different boxing weight classes.Currently, Marquez is the WBA Super, WBO and The Ring lightweight champion...
in 2004 and later the winning of a world title in 2006, where claimed the IBF Featherweight crown against Robert Guerrero
Robert Guerrero
Robert Joseph Guerrero is a professional American boxer of Mexican descent. He is the former IBF Super Featherweight champion and a former two-time IBF featherweight champion of the world. Nicknamed The Ghost, Guerrero's record is 29 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, and 2 no contest, with 18 of his wins...
.)
After two more wins Pearson got a world title fight anyway, in December 2002, with his record at 19-1-1, he went to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
to challenge reigning WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
champion Yodsanan 3-K Battery/Sor Nanthachai for the WBA Super Featherweight title. The bout took place on beloved King Bhumibol's birthday, a national holiday in Thailand, at the Royal Square in front of a reported 75,000 fans. Pearson fought valiantly, but a broken right hand suffered in the second round all but dashed any hopes off pulling off the upset. An awkward landing punch caused the injury, and Pearson had limited use of the hand for the remaining rounds of the fight. He would suffer his first professional knockdown in the ninth round, and eventually his first knockout loss when he was floored and counted out at 1:46 of round nine from a Nanthachai body shot.
Eight months later, in August 2003, Pearson would again fight for the USBA Super Featherweight title against Australian Robbie Peden
Robbie Peden
Robert Lloyd Peden is a professional boxer from Australia.-Amateur career:Member of the 1992 Australian Olympic team as a Flyweight...
. Early in the fight, Pearson began showing discomfort in his surgically repaired right hand. Despite the injury, he fought Peden competitively over the first six rounds before he was forced to retire in his corner before the seventh round. The loss led to a 17-month layoff for Pearson in order to have additional surgery performed on his hand, and allow ample healing time. (Peden eventually became the IBF Super Featherweight champion with a win over Nate Campbell
Nate Campbell
Nathaniel Campbell , more commonly known as Nate Campbell, is an American retired professional boxer. He is a former unified WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight champion.-Amateur career:...
in 2005.)
By September 2005, Pearson was again fighting for the USBA Super Featherweight title—this time at the Patriot Center
Patriot Center
The Patriot Center is a 10,000-seat arena in Fairfax, Virginia. It is located on the campus of George Mason University , and has attracted 9.6 million people to over 2,958 events. In 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 7 nationwide and No...
in Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
. His opponent would be Brooklyn southpaw Shamir Reyes, who came in with a 18-3-2 record, Pearson stopped him with a bodyshot in the sixth.
In July 2006, Pearson re-emerged in the national spotlight to take on another southpaw in former WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Super Featherweight titleholder Joel Casamayor
Joel Casamayor
Joel "El Cepillo" Casamayor Johnson is a Cuban boxer, who turned pro after defecting to the United States on the eve of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The nickname "El Cepillo", literally translated to "the brush", comes from his uppercut, which rakes his opponents across the face...
on an ESPN2's Friday Night Fights broadcast from Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The bout, scheduled for ten rounds, would be Pearson's first time fighting as a lightweight in a significant bout. Casamayor outgunned Pearson for many of the first eight rounds before the bout was stopped due to a cut around Pearson's right eye in the 9th round.
(Casamayor would claim the WBC lightweight title in his next bout with a victory over Diego Corrales
Diego Corrales
Diego "Chico" Corrales was an American boxer.He was the WBC, WBO, & The Ring lightweight champion, and the WBO & IBF super featherweight champion....
.)