By Chris Williams: As Oscar De La Hoya was pointing out on his twitter page today, there is a very real possibility that IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) could be on the verge of signing with Golden Boy Promotions rival Top Rank in order to get a big money fight against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.

It’s unclear whether that fight would happen immediately Pacquiao’s next fight scheduled in June or if Peterson would be getting the second fight. If that’s the case, then Amir Khan, a Golden Boy fighter, will be left out in the cold as far as a rematch goes with Peterson. Instead, you can count on Peterson dumping the IBF and WBA titles and waiting on the Pacquiao fight.

This would Arum pulling a checkmate on Golden Boy, who have been working hard and have spent a great deal of money to appeal Khan’s loss to Peterson with the IBF and WBA. That money will have been wasted if Peterson decides to sign with Top Rank and with the promise of a big money fight against Pacquiao. It’s bad in a lot of ways. Khan doesn’t get his rematch with Peterson and will have to move on without getting the chance to prove that his loss was due to the judges or the referee.

Peterson would be a very useful fighter for Arum not just for the Pacquiao fight. Arum can also use him for a rematch against Bradley, who beat Peterson three years ago. A Bradley-Peterson fight will be a big deal whether Peterson gets the Pacquiao fight or not. Arum taking him off the table away from Khan has to been as a brilliant move if it plays out like that. Arum will have two of the three best light welterweights in the division if he snatches up Peterson. Khan is the remaining top fighter but he’s supposed to be moving up in weight this year. Arum will control the 140 division with an iron fist if he gets Peterson among the Top Rank fold.