Lamont Peterson

Skysports.com profiles Lamont Peterson ahead of his showdown wth Amir Khan on Saturday.

Peterson's rise from the streets of Washington DC to boxing stardom has been well documented, but it remains to be seen if he can make the step up and join the truly elite. Peterson and his brother Anthony, who would also become a highly-ranked professional boxer, lived rough in the American capital for a part of their childhood before they were spotted by boxing coach Barry Hunter. Lamont went on to distinguish himself as a promising amateur prospect and won the prestigious National Golden Gloves title at lightweight in 2001. He made his professional debut three years later and quickly built up an impressive unbeaten record that put him in contention for a shot at a version of the light-welterweight world title. In April 2009 Peterson defeated former amateur world champion Willy Blain after the Frenchman suffered a hand injury, claiming the WBO interim title in the process and setting up a showdown with champion proper Timothy Bradley. But Peterson could not capitalise on his world title chance and in the end was soundly beaten by his fellow American, being hurt in the early rounds and knocked to the canvas in round three. He bounced back with a seven-round stoppage of Damian Fuller and was then lined up in a 10-round bout with Victor Ortiz. Again Peterson was put down in the third round, this time hitting the canvas twice, but showed great heart to fight back and rescue a majority draw from the bout. He then earned a shot at Khan's IBF title after knocking out Victor Cayo in 12 rounds, and will hope that he can make it third time lucky against world class opposition. Despite only having 15 knockouts in his 29 victories, the 27-year-old is considered a strong puncher and a physically imposing fighter, but his own ability to take a shot has also been called into question.