Past Results - MN Gyms - MN Boxers - Interviews - Forum - Links - Home - AmateurScene

The Prodigy
By: Ramon Hough
Photo By Rich Peterson~www.13twentythree.com

For as long as he can remember, 20-year-old Dave Peterson has seen the blood, smelled the sweat and heard the sounds associated with boxing. Growing up in a house with Ron Peterson as the father, a man who's made a living off of training, managing and/or promoting fighters for more than 30 years, will do that.
"(My dad) promoted Native American fighters. At the time, he had the Sargents (John Sr. and Brian) and they'd stay at our house sometimes. It was kind of like a training camp out of the house so I grew up around it," Dave said. "I always watched them train and how hard they trained. I always looked up to them and I wanted to be like that...seeing their perserverance and everything they went through. I learned a lot just by watching."
Dave played baseball, football and basketball growing up but couldn't stay away from boxing. And while the elder Peterson brought his son to the gym regularly, he never encouraged him to become a boxer. In fact, he was against the idea.
"It was my call. He didn't actually want me to. He'd bring me to the gym because I always asked. I just loved watching the boxers. He didn't take me seriously until I kept on him and kept on him. Many enter (boxing gyms), but few stay," said Dave.
Dave did stay though and started sparring at the age of 12. By the time he was 14, Dave had begun what would be a brief amateur career. Despite his initial doubts, it didn't take long for Ron to see that his son had special abilities.
"He was just a natural...just a natural fighter. He's got everything. He's got all the moves, he's got the build."
Dave did very well as an amateur, according to his father. But in a rare move for an American fighter, Dave turned pro at the age of 17.
"A lot of people said I had a more of a pro style. In the pros, you get more time to move and take your shots. It's more of a physical chess game," said Dave. "One wrong move and it's over. I like that more."
So far, Dave has looked spectacular as a pro (6-0, 5 KO's). But he hasn't been very active as he's only fought six times in almost four years.
"He was a party animal. He's a young kid. Boxing was not his priority," said Ron.
To his credit, Dave's career pace has picked up lately. This Saturday, March 17, he will be fighting for the third time in about six months when he takes on Nick Whiting (0-3) at Grand Casino-Hinckley. His new-found dedication can be traced back about eight months ago when he got the news he was going to be a father.
"I got a baby girl coming in about two weeks. I just want to do it for her and our family and make good money. I've loved the sport since I was a kid and I want to see where I can go with it."
"It makes me focus more. It makes me think that I need to do it now. I'm kind of a procrastinator, (but) I always just think about my baby girl coming. I want to support (my) family and do what I love at the same time," Dave said.
The soon-to-be grandfather agrees.
"(Dave)'s starting to pick it up because he has the responsibility and he's going to have a child. He knows that he has to do something to make it. I believe (boxing) is his out."
Dave, who currently fights as a middleweight (160 pounds) but would rather fight as a junior middleweight (154 pounds), hopes to maintain a fast pace and would like to fight on a monthly basis.
The elder Peterson sees big things in his son's future but says it all depends on his dedication.
"He could be the future of Minnesota boxing. He's young, he's good-looking. He's very smooth and relaxed. He's got a super-natural (left hook) and he's got a great right hand," said Ron. "He's fast, he's deceptive and he's got fire. He's got the ability to be a champion...if he wants it. It's his call."
A very humble Dave kept his final thoughts short.
"I'm going to do what I can and see where it takes me."