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Samuel Peter’s Best Fight to Date
MON, January 8 Buster Paris - ‘DING’ and both men lumber into round 5 and towards each other – they meet center ring and both slam enormously powerful shots on the other – James Toney lands a ginormouse left and Samuel Peter instantly responds with an even bigger right – this engagement isn’t just a slow one-at-a time tryst, but the type of mixing it up we love to see the big boys do – the kind that have leather and head sweat flying and make it sound as if several cows have jumped off a cliff and landed on a bunch of jagged rocks -- ‘BOOM, FWAWHOOPP, BOOM’.
They briefly hold and James is saying something to Samuel – then their hands go and there’s the sound of more cow suicides filling the arena … and then they hold again.
As they separate we see that Toney’s left eye is puffy and closing and we see too that Peter looks fine.
The truth of the moment and the truth of the fight is that Samuel Peter is just too strong and powerful for James Toney – it seems that every time Toney lands big shots or stunningly stinging combinations that they have no real effect on Peter – and conversely when Peter lands his bombs on Toney – they are doing damage.
That being the case - plus one other essentially crucial and totally unexpected element would be the deciding factor of the fight going in Peter’s favor.
January 6th 2007 – at the Seminole Hard Rock Arena in Hollywood, FL - James “Lights Out Toney’s (W 69 - 43 ko's, L 6 and D 3) and Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (W 28 - 22 ko's and L 1) had their WBC mandatory rematch – and this time there would be no question that Samuel Peter won – well, unless you’re James Toney…
Before the match started Showtime did a text message poll – and 66% of those that voted thought that Toney would win the fight (31% said by ko and 35% said by decision) – Showtime also posted what we the writers and pundits said – and most of us (myself included) thought Toney would without a doubt win: Sho.com writer's poll
Boy was I wrong – I never in a million years considered that one totally unexpected factor – that one key ingredient that in fact won the fight for Samuel Peter – and was truly THE surprise of all surprises:
Samuel Peter greatly improved in the last 4 months – and is a far better fighter now then ever before.
None of us considered the possibility that Sam would or even could improve the way he did in just a measly 4 months – he was poised, professional and in control - there were no amateurishly looping and insanely thrown wild windmill off-balance type punches.
He also was in shape and conditioned – he looked like and performed like there was real merit for him to be there – not just because of his size and power, but because he actually knew what he was doing.
By the 2nd round it was dramatically clear that Samuel Peter was a greatly improved fighter – he was using the jab well – and not just as a pulverizing weapon, but as a technique to keep James at the distance he wanted him in – and as a means to measure for the monstrous right hand.
As the night went on Peter would introduce combinations, show off his hand speed and show an intelligence for influencing the judges with the way he would close rounds. It wasn’t a matter of merely “stealing rounds” - a lot of these rounds were close and Samuel was smart to let it go in the last 30 – 40 seconds --- hey, why not – besides it wasn’t like he was sleeping for 2:20 and then turned it on – so ultimately it worked to his favor.
Peter deserved and earned this victory – no question about it – this time the scorecards are right on --- Judges Daniel Van de Wiele and John Keane had it 118-110 and Judge Peter Trematerra had it 119-108
In the end – this was Samuel Peter’s very best fight to date. This is the fight that we’ll look back on as the moment when Samuel became a true contender. This is the fight in his history that forever changed his game and our perception of him.
This is the Samuel Peter that could be Champion.
Closing this saga out for James Toney – you HAVE to love him – where else are you going to find a fighter that fights like Bluto Blutarsky (Animal House) and Fred Sanford (Sanford & Son) all rolled into one.
What’s next for James? – right now it depends on who you ask – I still think he’s the best damn Heavyweight out there – no one has his ability, chin and skills.
I would abso-freakin’-lutely LOVE to see him fight Wladimir Klitschko … or even Nicolay Valuev --- imagine that!
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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