Edwin Valero To Make Jr Welterweight Debut Against Lamont Peterson ?

According to Lem Satterfield of AOL's FanHouse, WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero (27-0, 27KOs) could move up to junior welterweight for a fight with Lamont Peterson in June or July. Peterson (27-1, 13 KOs) has only one loss on his record, which came by decision to WBO champion Timothy Bradley. Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, is looking at putting the fight together in the summer.

"I think that this will be another real test for Valero at 140 pounds, which will be a new area for him," said Arum. "As far as Peterson is concerned, it's a high profile fight that gets him back into the mix after the loss to Bradley. This is because he lost in the ring, but he didn't lose in the court of public opinion. Lamont Peterson fought a very courageous, gutty fight, it's just that the guy, on that night, was better than he was."

"We don't know how Valero can handle a really good boxer like Peterson, and we don't know if Valero can handle the extra weight. And as far as Peterson is concerned, you just look at a picture of Valero, and if it was me, I wouldn't be going within a hundred feet of him. He looks terrifying."

Arum needs to clear up Valero's issues before making the fight. He needs to secure his boxing license. Valero had a bad MRI in 2001 but all of his tests have come back fine since then. Valero needs to get a visa to enter the United States. He was previously denied entry because of a DUI charge from last May.

"Valero's MRI is completely clean now, and as far as the Visa, we'll have to talk to the Washington, D.C., commission," said Arum.

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