Peterson wants a piece of Pacquiao in 2012

Reigning unified International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight titlist Lamont Peterson is willing to fight eight-time world division champion Manny Pacquiao in 2012. According to Barry Hunter, Peterson’s trainer, the 140-pound super champion is more than willing to go up in weight for a possible showdown with the international boxing superstar. "If the opportunity is there," said Hunter in an interview aired by RingTV.com. But everything still depends on whether the 27-year-old champion will be asked to defend his IBF light-welterweight belt against Amir Khan next year. Peterson wrested the 140-lb version of the IBF from Khan on December 12 in a highly-disputed split decision after two points were deducted by referee Joseph Cooper from the former champion from Bolton, England for excessive pushing. Peterson's options Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions—Khan's handlers—has already offered a $1 million purse to the Washington, District of Columbia native for a rematch in 2012. Peterson earned a career-record $650,000 in beating the 25-year-old Khan. But definitely, a bout with the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Pacquiao is truly one huge opportunity that cannot be passed up, even if it meant going up in weight. "If there's an opportunity and it makes business sense, and if it's a situation that we feel we could go into and have a good chance of coming out on top, then we'll take a shot at it,” Hunter said. The 5-foot-9 Peterson enjoys a 2-1/2 inch height advantage against Pacquiao. He needs to add seven pounds to make the 147-lb welterweight limit, although he weighed-in at 155lbs on the night he fought Khan. Hunter also mentioned a possible return match with reigning WBO 140-lb titlist Tim Bradley, who scored a unanimous decision win over Peterson in a 2009 title fight. "There's always an open book. We don't want to limit ourselves to just one thing. Bottom line is, he is here now, and we didn't get here to just be satisfied with where we are,” said Hunter. Pacquiao-Peterson in May 2012 possible Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's Canadian adviser and close confidante, said Peterson's name was added to the possible list of opponents by the world's top pound-for-pound fighter after their choices had been limited with the 90-day jail sentence given to Floyd Mayweather Jr. "I've had a brief discussion with Manny, and I've mentioned all of those names to him, including Lamont Peterson. Lamont Peterson is a champion now, so he's just another option,” said Koncz. "We'll continue to talk about him and the other options if Floyd's out of the picture. Lamont Peterson's just a name that's been thrown out there, and Manny and I will consider him as another possibility. But we're not going to sit down and have an in-depth conversation until I go back on January 8," Koncz added. Koncz said Pacquiao eyes a possible ring return by May or June. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's Hall of Fame trainer, already said that he prefers to have Peterson as the Pacman's next opponent. "I think Lamont Peterson is a great opponent for Manny Pacquiao if the fight (with Floyd Mayweather Jr.) does not happen," said Roach, who, ironically, was also in Khan's corner as chief trainer during the controversial loss to Peterson. — JVP, GMA News