Samuel Peter
Samuel Peter
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Peter rose to prominence as a professional fighter following a string of spectacular knockout wins in his early career, at a time when the division was fragmented. His first professional loss came at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko in a title eliminator. After winning the WBC championship Peter defended his belt against Wladimir's elder brother Vitali Klitschko who had just returned from retirement. He lost his title becoming one of the few heavyweight champions to retire in their corner during a heavyweight championship fight. Peter refused to meet the bell for round 9. He has scored notable wins over: James Toney, Jameel McCline, Oleg Maskaev and Nagy Aguilera. Samuel Peter is one of the few men to have faced both Klitschko brothers in his career (losing to both).
Originally, Peter's preferred sport was soccer. In 1992, some boxers came to Peter's school to train. The curious young 11-year-old stopped by and asked if he could train along with them. He was put up against an experienced amateur and knocked him out. This marked the beginning of a successful amateur career for Peter.
Samuel Peter won the Nigerian amateur heavyweight championship and the Africa Zone 3 Heavyweight championship. He faced stiff competition as an amateur (including a knockout victory over 2000 Silver Medalist Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan). However, he prevailed and was given the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney, Australia Summer Olympics.
Peter lost in the quarterfinals to Italian Paolo Vidoz by decision. However, his performance was noted for being very impressive from such a young pugilist and hence more excitement was generated for him than the eventual Gold Medalist, Audley Harrison, to whom Peter had lost a very close decision just a few months before the Olympics.
Immediately after the Olympics, Ivaylo Gotzev signed on as Samuel Peter's manager, and Andy "Pops" Anderson became Peter's coach. They were then able to land a promotional deal with Dino Duva of Duva Boxing. As of March 2008, Peter's professional ring record stands at 30-2 (with 23 knockouts).
Though Peter posted a string of 1st-round knockouts at the beginning of his career, he fought to 2 consecutive decisions against Charles Shufford and Jovo Pudar in 2004. Some critics asked if Peter could exhibit the one-punch knockout power he had exhibited in his early days against stronger opposition.
Peter won a victory against Jeremy Williams on December 4, 2004 by knockout 27 seconds into the second round, to win the vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Williams was out cold for several minutes following the knockout. He then defeated Yanqui Diaz on January 22, 2005 to win the vacant USBA Heavyweight title, knocking him down five times along the way.
Peter then went on to defeat NABA Heavyweight champion Taurus Sykes in Reno, NV on July 2, 2005 trained by Andy "Pops" Anderson in a unification match.
On September 24, 2005 Peter faced Wladimir Klitschko in an elimination match in Atlantic City for the IBF and IBO world titles, in which Peter's NABF title was also on the line. It was a highly anticipated fight, Klitschko was trying to bounce back into the title picture and Peter was at the time undefeated and a feared puncher. It was a highly entertaining bout. Klitschko controlled for periods with his excellent jab and physical domination, yet Peter managed to periodically break through with big shots. Klitschko went down twice in the fifth. He came back to assert himself for the next few rounds as Peter grew frustrated at his inability to land clean shots. In round 10 Peter finally broke through with two big right hands, Klitschko staggered backwards and Peter put him down for the third time with another right hand. Larry Merchant remarked: "This is the moment of truth for Klitschko." Klitschko recovered well and went on to outbox Peter for the final two rounds. Many observers felt that Peters was hitting to the back of the head (rabbit punching) during this fight and that accounted for the first two knock downs. Nevertheless, Klitschko came back and went on to stagger Peter badly in the twelfth winning a unanimous decision. On December 15, 2005, Peter faced Robert Hawkins and won a 10 round decision.
Peter regained the NABF title (vacated by Klitschko after his victory) on April 28, 2006, by defeating Julius Long.
Originally, Peter's preferred sport was soccer. In 1992, some boxers came to Peter's school to train. The curious young 11-year-old stopped by and asked if he could train along with them. He was put up against an experienced amateur and knocked him out. This marked the beginning of a successful amateur career for Peter.
Samuel Peter won the Nigerian amateur heavyweight championship and the Africa Zone 3 Heavyweight championship. He faced stiff competition as an amateur (including a knockout victory over 2000 Silver Medalist Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan). However, he prevailed and was given the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney, Australia Summer Olympics.
Peter lost in the quarterfinals to Italian Paolo Vidoz by decision. However, his performance was noted for being very impressive from such a young pugilist and hence more excitement was generated for him than the eventual Gold Medalist, Audley Harrison, to whom Peter had lost a very close decision just a few months before the Olympics.
Immediately after the Olympics, Ivaylo Gotzev signed on as Samuel Peter's manager, and Andy "Pops" Anderson became Peter's coach. They were then able to land a promotional deal with Dino Duva of Duva Boxing. As of March 2008, Peter's professional ring record stands at 30-2 (with 23 knockouts).
Though Peter posted a string of 1st-round knockouts at the beginning of his career, he fought to 2 consecutive decisions against Charles Shufford and Jovo Pudar in 2004. Some critics asked if Peter could exhibit the one-punch knockout power he had exhibited in his early days against stronger opposition.
Peter won a victory against Jeremy Williams on December 4, 2004 by knockout 27 seconds into the second round, to win the vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Williams was out cold for several minutes following the knockout. He then defeated Yanqui Diaz on January 22, 2005 to win the vacant USBA Heavyweight title, knocking him down five times along the way.
Peter then went on to defeat NABA Heavyweight champion Taurus Sykes in Reno, NV on July 2, 2005 trained by Andy "Pops" Anderson in a unification match.
On September 24, 2005 Peter faced Wladimir Klitschko in an elimination match in Atlantic City for the IBF and IBO world titles, in which Peter's NABF title was also on the line. It was a highly anticipated fight, Klitschko was trying to bounce back into the title picture and Peter was at the time undefeated and a feared puncher. It was a highly entertaining bout. Klitschko controlled for periods with his excellent jab and physical domination, yet Peter managed to periodically break through with big shots. Klitschko went down twice in the fifth. He came back to assert himself for the next few rounds as Peter grew frustrated at his inability to land clean shots. In round 10 Peter finally broke through with two big right hands, Klitschko staggered backwards and Peter put him down for the third time with another right hand. Larry Merchant remarked: "This is the moment of truth for Klitschko." Klitschko recovered well and went on to outbox Peter for the final two rounds. Many observers felt that Peters was hitting to the back of the head (rabbit punching) during this fight and that accounted for the first two knock downs. Nevertheless, Klitschko came back and went on to stagger Peter badly in the twelfth winning a unanimous decision. On December 15, 2005, Peter faced Robert Hawkins and won a 10 round decision.
Peter regained the NABF title (vacated by Klitschko after his victory) on April 28, 2006, by defeating Julius Long.
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Chrisman
samuel should watch his weight before the next fight
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Chrisman
samuel should watch his weight before the next sempt. bout
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