By Frank Lotierzo
Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter, says "I just want a chance to show what I can do." However, he has one small problem, nobody wants to fight him. Peter is blessed with dynamite in both hands and appears to have tremendous natural strength. Two things needed to compete at the top of the heavyweight division. The downside is, it's hard getting other heavyweight's to fight him. He's too good to take a risk against being embarrassed by in the ring and he's not established enough that beating him clears the path to a title shot.
This time last year, Samuel Peter was an up and coming heavyweight prospect who was thought to have tremendous potential because of his two-handed knockout power. There hasn't been a single era in boxing history that a knockout puncher wasn't embraced by both boxing and sports fans. This is because heavyweights who have legitimate knockout power are rare. If a decade produces two, that's a lot. Regardless of what some believe, punchers are born. They can't be manufactured in the gym or by strict weight training program, even one that includes steroids. If it turns out heavyweight Samuel Peter, (4-WBC & 5-IBF) is a legitimate knockout artist, that leaves three more heavyweight champions in the division (4) than there are authentic knockout artists (1).
Earlier tonight, Samuel Peter (24-0, 21K) demolished Taurus Sykes (23-2-1, 6K) in less then two rounds. Peter started off the first round like a seasoned pro by switching up his strategy. Sykes kept his hands up very high in order to protect himself from Peter's power shots, rather then go for the head, Peter jabbed to the midsection of Sykes' and attacked the body. Peter got more aggressive in the second round as he began to put more pressure on Sykes by landing combinations to the head and body. He landed a clubbing right hand to the side of Sykes' head and the beginning of the end was started. The clubbing right destroyed the equilibrium of Sykes as he was wobbling around the ring. Peter's ferocious instincts kicked in to play once he saw a wobbled Sykes and he jumped all over him to close the show. Peter battered Sykes into the ropes and landed power shot combinations that sent Sykes crumbling to the canvas. The referee, Vic Drakulich, did not even bother to finish the ten count as Sykes was not even attempting to get back to his feet.
Peter's biggest obstacle right now is his limited experience, something that can only fighting and getting rounds in can remedy. Only four of his 21 opponents have heard the bell to start round five, something that won't always be the case. That's why he needs rounds to better prepare him when that night arrives and he doesn't score the early knockout, if at all. Sykes being the best fighter he has faced to date is very telling. Peter has been brought along very careful just like all fighters with championship potential have been, but his management now has to step up the level of opposition.
Tonights fight against Taurus Sykes was just that, a fight to keep him sharp during his learning curve. Although Sykes had a good record at 23-1-1 heading into his fight against Peter, he was winless against the two best opponents he fought, Owen Beck and former IBF cruiserweight champ Imau Mayfield. Sykes entered his bout with Peter having only scored six knockouts in his 21 wins. In short, Sykes had nothing in his arsenal to keep his hulking opponent off him to allow him to box so he could extend the fight and test Peter's stamina.
Peter, couldn't have arrived at a better time in the heavyweight division if he's the real thing. Most observers agree the heavyweight division from a talent perspective is pedestrian at best and lacks a fighter that stimulates fan interest. WBC champ Vitali Klitschko has lost to the two best fighters he's fought, Chris Byrd and Lennox Lewis. Chris Byrd holds the IBF title, but he is a relatively small heavyweight and doesn't have one punch KO power, making it harder for casual fans to embrace him, despite holding the title for almost three years.
John Ruiz is the WBA title holder and in his last fight he was lost a 12-round decision to James Toney. However, the bout was ruled no-contest when Toney testified positive for steroids. That leaves WBO belt holder Lamon Brewster who scored a 54 second Knockout victory of Andrew Golota in his last fight. None of the four title holders have come close to capturing publics imagination and only Brewster because of his toughness and power has a realistic has a chance to.
Maybe the biggest plus for Peter is his age. The average age of today's top twenty heavyweights is between 33 and 34 years old, depending on which alphabet ranking's used to compile the numbers. At 24, Peter can wait a little longer while getting needed experience, or based on his last four knockouts, he could probably challenge for one of the titles sometime before the spring of next year.
Peter has everything needed to be the next dominant heavyweight in boxing. He has good size at 6"2," and in his last five bouts he weighed in between 247-250 pounds. Making him even more dangers is his 82 inch reach, which is two inches shorter than former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis' and 11 inches longer than Mike Tyson's.
When running down the reasons why Samuel Peter will most likely be the next force in the heavyweight division, there is a lot to indicate he'll be successful. It's his combination of size, power and determination that make him standout. His only draw back is that he can be out boxed and isn't to hard to hit clean. He can get by with those holes in his game while establishing himself as a contender, but he must get better before challenging for the title. After his knockout against Sykes, it's safe to say he'll be seen and heard from again.
