Minnesota Boxing News: Dave Peterson vs. Cerresso Fort

PETERSON BRINGING HIS BEST
By Jesse Kelley
6.23.12

25 year old Dave "The Prodigy" Peterson (13-0) says he couldn't be more ready for tonight's bout with Cerresso Fort at the Black Bear Casino. Peterson has been a pro in the ring since the age of 16 and and after 9 years in the game says he is both mentally and physically at his best.

"I have been able to find a great balance with everything as far as my job, family and training. I really think I am going to be more mentally prepared for this fight then Cerresso is. I just don't think he has needed to adapt to everything that I have when it comes to those things and I really believe it will give me the mental edge in having prepared myself both physically and mentally like that. It's really 90% mental and 10% physical in this sport and I feel like I am right where I need to be with both. Your home life is so important in this game, and right now, everything is going very well for me."

It has been the longest training camp of his career and that includes the camp for his bout against Corey Rodriguez in 2009. Peterson says he mixed things up in similar fashion to the hard-core P90X workouts but added more intensity. On one day he would do heavy lifting and the following contrast that with lighter high rep weights. Peterson said he followed the same plan for his conditioning portion of training as well.

"I've been taking in a lot of advice and just learning a lot of new things. I am boxing better then ever and moving better in the ring. It's been an amazing training camp" said Peterson.

What stands out first to many local boxing fans in this fight is Fort's strength and overwhelming style he has shown in the past going head to head with Peterson's pure boxing approach to his fights. Guys like Matt Vanda, Tocker Pudwill and recently Caleb Truax have complimented Peterson's boxing abilities following sparring sessions. Peterson says he has prepared for any fight Fort brings to the scheduled 8 rounder whether that be a boxing match or a brawl.

"Style's make fights" said Peterson. I have sparred Cerresso before and I don't think he has more power then me. I think that his strength is his main point and it's what stands out with him but that doesn't necessarily mean he is stronger then me. He waits to line up those big shots but I am more of a boxer, that's how I have always been. Once you get stuck into a style, I just think that is how you are going to be. And I believe I am the better boxer. As far as him changing things up in this fight, I really think that will hurt him if he does. Like I said, I have sparred with him and I don't think he is stronger. I feel like I am faster, smarter, and I can go longer then him in the ring. It all comes down to the night of the fight and I think I am going to bring more to the table. I think I am going to wear him down as the rounds go on. If something isn't going right in the ring I am not going to keep doing it. I am the kind of fighter that will adapt and I don't think that's how he is. You have to be able to adapt in this sport at any given point in a fight and I believe that is my biggest strength. Having the ability to adapt. "

"This win is going to be a big confidence builder for me and my camp. A lot of people are behind Cerresso. He has a big fan base but I really believe that will also play to my advantage because I thrive on being the underdog. I have had a lot of fights where people flat out didn't think I was going to win and I proved them wrong. But either way, I am going to fight with a lot of confidence and fight as hard as I possibly can. I won't leave anything in the ring. And I think that is what's going to bring me the win."