Khan or Peterson? The experts decide

Amir Khan landed on Monday in Washington, D.C., the hometown of Lamont Peterson, against whom Khan will defend his IBF and WBA belts in an HBO-televised clash at the Washington Convention Center on Dec. 10.

"Capitol Showdown: Khan vs. Peterson" has the 24-year-old Khan (26-1, 18 knockouts) facing the 27-year-old Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KOs) in a bout that may well represent the titleholder's toughest challenge to date.

THE RING's No. 1-rated jr. welterweight, Khan has won eight straight fights, four of them by knockout, since being stopped in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott in September of 2008.

Peterson, rated No. 6 by THE RING, is 2-0-1 with two knockout victories since falling by unanimous decision to Tim Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) in December of 2009.

In a poll taken by RingTV.com, 39.4 percent of readers believe that Khan will win by decision, 39 percent believe the titleholder wins by knockout, 10 percent are taking Peterson by a stoppage, 9.2 percent say the challenger triumphs by a decision, and 1.6 percent believe that the clash will end in a draw.

RingTV.com also culled the opinions of 11 knowledgeable observers as to what they believe will transpire in Khan-Peterson below.

Kevin Cunningham, trainer of former WBC/IBF junior welterweight beltholder Devon Alexander

Amir Khan SD 12 Lamont Peterson: Lamont Peterson will have to go out and take the title from Amir khan. On the other hand, Khan will use his height, reach and foot movement to control the distance.

Peterson has to time Khan properly when Khan jumps in to throw punches, and he has step with him and punch when he pulls out with his hands down and chin up. Close fight, but I will go with Khan by split decision.

Norm Frauenheim, www.15rounds.com
   
Amir Khan UD 12 Lamont Peterson: Amir Khan, unanimous decision. A very tricky fight, especially in Lamont Peterson's hometown. But Khan has the tricks to pull it off. In this one, he'll need his smarts.

He had the guts to survive Marcos Maidana. In Peterson, he faces a fighter good at making late adjustments. To wit: His draw with Victor Ortiz. In the end, however, the poised, quicker Khan will figure out the right counters.

Igor Guryashkin, ESPN.com

Amir Khan UD 12 Lamont Peterson: While Zab Judah is no where near the opponent he once was, Amir Khan's methodical and powerful dismantling of the Brooklyn native in his last fight was impressive.

While there are persistent questions regarding his ability to absorb a punch, Khan has undoubtedly become a more evasive target in the ring and not one that I see Lamont Peterson, a limited fighter, being able to make contact with all too often. I see a dominant points victory for Khan in his final fight at 140 pounds.

Vaughn Jackson, trainer of unbeaten welterweight prospect Mike Jones

Amir Khan KO 12 Lamont Peterson: Amir Khan wins a good fight. He's to strong for Lamont Peterson. I think that Peterson puts up a good fight for the first half of the fight.

I think that the second half, Khan's going to take over the fight. I can see that it's close all the way up to the sixth round. But then, I can see Khan just taking over the fight.

Maybe by around the 11th or the 12th round, I think that Khan is going to knock out Peterson. I like Peterson, and I think that I would like to see him win at home, but I just think that Khan is too strong for him.