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Last month, rising young power slugger, Samuel Peter (24-1; 21 KO's) lost a unanimous decision to Wladimir Klitschko. A victory over Klitschko (45-3; 40 KO's) would have ranked Peter as the #1 heavyweight within the IBF and WBO, and further characterized the 25 year old Nigerian as the most exciting fighter to hit the division in years. While Peter fans eagerly expected the 6'1" fighter to score a fantastic one-punch knockout over his much taller opponent (6'6"), Team Klitschko proved otherwise - by exploiting their height and reach advantage, implementing the jab and nullifying Peter's ferocious power and aggression.
Recently, rumors have circulated that Team Peter has been looking to enhance the strength of their team... namely bringing in famed trainer, Kevin Rooney. A wise choice, considering Rooney trained Mike Tyson -- a fighter many are comparing Peter's tremendous strength to. If Peter's opponents are fearful of his punching power now, an elusive, bobbing-n-weaving Peter would be absolutely bloodcurdling.
********* spoke to Peter's promoter, Dino Duva of Duva Boxing who stated: "For the last two weeks, Sam, his manager and I have been talking about bringing in a more experienced boxing advisor who can work with Sam in the gym and in the corner. Kevin Rooney's name has been brought up, but he's not the only trainer that's been mentioned. Right now, we're trying to figure out which direction we're going to go in. Kevin Rooney is a name that's on our list, but we haven't made any final decisions yet."
Duva continues, "To be honest with you, I was always concerned that Sam didn't have the best training, teaching and corner. These things are really important when it comes to big fights like this. Corner work is crucial. You have to be able to adapt and make changes as the fight goes along. Unfortunately, that came true because I think that's how Wladimir was able to win the fight. He won by having a better strategy, better teaching and a better corner that helped him adapt to situations during the fight. That's where we were lacking and we're already working on that for the future. However, I do want to make it clear that Andy Anderson will always be there (as head trainer) and I do think that he would admit that they do need some help. So, we're definitely going to add some assets to the training and to the corner work. And, I believe it will work out for everyone involved."
Regarding Peter's performance against Klitschko, Duva adds, "Sam fought a very tough and grueling fight. It was the biggest fight of his life. Even though he came out on the short end of the stick, I think a lot of positives came out of it. Sam proved that he is one of the best heavyweights in the world. And, he answered some questions. People wondered if he could take a punch from a real legitimate heavyweight... and Wladimir Klitschko is certainly a legitimate heavyweight. In fact, he's one of the best in the world. But Sam proved he's got balls... that he's got a chin... and that he can go the distance with a world class fighter."
Another rumor that has circulated is that Vaughn Bean (45-6; 34 KO's), a 31 year old ring veteran who fought Michael Moorer for the IBF title in 1997 and Evander Holyfield for the WBA and IBF in 1998 (sustaining decision losses in both fights), is being considered as Peter's next opponent on December 15th at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood FL. Duva responds, "Sam wants to go to Nigeria to see his family for a few weeks. We all think it makes sense to get Sam a fight before he goes to Nigeria and it's also a good way to start working with a new trainer to assist Anderson. But yes. Vaughn is a guy that's been mentioned, but nothing is set yet."
Duva concludes: "In my opinion, Sam isn't even close to his potential. With a little refinement in his skills and getting experienced corner work, I think he is the future of the heavyweight division. Sam is only 25 years old and has proven to be a crowd pleaser. The T.V. people loved him and I think he has a big future ahead of him. Even though Sam lost the fight, it was just a temporary setback. I think next year, he will establish himself as the most exciting heavyweight in the world. Sam can go all the way. I have no doubt about it."
Recently, rumors have circulated that Team Peter has been looking to enhance the strength of their team... namely bringing in famed trainer, Kevin Rooney. A wise choice, considering Rooney trained Mike Tyson -- a fighter many are comparing Peter's tremendous strength to. If Peter's opponents are fearful of his punching power now, an elusive, bobbing-n-weaving Peter would be absolutely bloodcurdling.
********* spoke to Peter's promoter, Dino Duva of Duva Boxing who stated: "For the last two weeks, Sam, his manager and I have been talking about bringing in a more experienced boxing advisor who can work with Sam in the gym and in the corner. Kevin Rooney's name has been brought up, but he's not the only trainer that's been mentioned. Right now, we're trying to figure out which direction we're going to go in. Kevin Rooney is a name that's on our list, but we haven't made any final decisions yet."
Duva continues, "To be honest with you, I was always concerned that Sam didn't have the best training, teaching and corner. These things are really important when it comes to big fights like this. Corner work is crucial. You have to be able to adapt and make changes as the fight goes along. Unfortunately, that came true because I think that's how Wladimir was able to win the fight. He won by having a better strategy, better teaching and a better corner that helped him adapt to situations during the fight. That's where we were lacking and we're already working on that for the future. However, I do want to make it clear that Andy Anderson will always be there (as head trainer) and I do think that he would admit that they do need some help. So, we're definitely going to add some assets to the training and to the corner work. And, I believe it will work out for everyone involved."
Regarding Peter's performance against Klitschko, Duva adds, "Sam fought a very tough and grueling fight. It was the biggest fight of his life. Even though he came out on the short end of the stick, I think a lot of positives came out of it. Sam proved that he is one of the best heavyweights in the world. And, he answered some questions. People wondered if he could take a punch from a real legitimate heavyweight... and Wladimir Klitschko is certainly a legitimate heavyweight. In fact, he's one of the best in the world. But Sam proved he's got balls... that he's got a chin... and that he can go the distance with a world class fighter."
Another rumor that has circulated is that Vaughn Bean (45-6; 34 KO's), a 31 year old ring veteran who fought Michael Moorer for the IBF title in 1997 and Evander Holyfield for the WBA and IBF in 1998 (sustaining decision losses in both fights), is being considered as Peter's next opponent on December 15th at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood FL. Duva responds, "Sam wants to go to Nigeria to see his family for a few weeks. We all think it makes sense to get Sam a fight before he goes to Nigeria and it's also a good way to start working with a new trainer to assist Anderson. But yes. Vaughn is a guy that's been mentioned, but nothing is set yet."
Duva concludes: "In my opinion, Sam isn't even close to his potential. With a little refinement in his skills and getting experienced corner work, I think he is the future of the heavyweight division. Sam is only 25 years old and has proven to be a crowd pleaser. The T.V. people loved him and I think he has a big future ahead of him. Even though Sam lost the fight, it was just a temporary setback. I think next year, he will establish himself as the most exciting heavyweight in the world. Sam can go all the way. I have no doubt about it."
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