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The boxing world is looking for a heavyweight to come along and make a clean sweep of the division, restore credibility and embody the spirit of past champions that made the heavyweight division boxing’s flagship. It is true that the glamour days are gone and optimism is |
difficult to find that we will see any kind of true quality to make the heavyweight division a truly viable attraction any time soon. However, the more open minded of us look for answers instead of heaping their sorrow on an already desperate situation. The conclusion of most of those brighter souls is that Samuel Peter is the man upon which our hope should rest. Peter is only twenty-four, and whether by his own admission or not, has much to do to convince heavyweight purists that he is ready to assume the throne. His brute power is effective, but there is nothing graceful in its delivery, and yet with the lack of pure talent evident in the division, Peter may have enough to justify what seems like over–zealous hope. One man who does not believe so is Taurus Sykes, and he has the chance to prove his point firsthand this coming Saturday when he faces Peter on Showtime’s feature presentation.
The SaddoBoxing writer’s now offer you their verdict on Samuel Peter and how his clash with Taurus Sykes will turn out.
Lee Bellfield: Peter in a division that is full of thirty-plus-year-old fighters is a baby at twenty-four. To me, he is the future of the division and looks to continue his winning ways. Peter, like Audley Harrison is a 2000 Olympian but his progress has been much quicker. Peter to win by mid rounds stoppage
Katrina Walters: Samuel Peter is on the rise and I expect him to dominate Taurus Sykes before taking the win.
Jim Cawkwell: All of the promotion is towards Peter and his apparent takeover as the next big thing in the heavyweight division. As young as he is, and as strong as he is, if Peter intends to improve himself, he needs to disappear to do it now because he is definitely limited. However, it may be that his build and his mentality are in sync and that he is as good as he is going to be right now. Either way, look at the facts. Peter has twenty-three wins with all but three coming via knockout. Sykes has the same amount of wins with a loss and a draw, and only a handful of stoppages. Sykes has the reputation as the boxer and he is not going to be able to move Peter whatsoever. Peter by stoppage in five rounds.
Jonny Townsend: Peter by TKO in the sixth or seventh. Even though they both come into this fight as prospects, it is obvious who the expected victor is in this bout. Peter brings chilling knockout power into the ring, which the heavyweight scene is lacking at the moment, while Sykes prefers to utilize his boxing skills and earn the decision. The big Nigerian made a believer of me with his frightening knockout of the smaller Jeremy Williams last December, followed by the clubbing of Diaz, and he has reminded me of George Foreman with his forward marching, concussive style. This had me wondering if the Brooklyn jabber was to be Peter’s Jimmy Young, and his pre-fight comments have been abusive but very smart. Trying to get the heavy-handed fighter angry might not seem a clever route but this could enable Sykes to keep picking up the points while Peter wails away, looking for one big punch. However, I feel that the African fighter is too smart and disciplined to be outfoxed and will wear down the New Yorker in six or seven rounds of brutal punching while walking right through his opponent’s jabs.
Curtis McCormick: Samuel Peter has been impressively handling all hurdles placed before him and should continue to do so against Taurus Sykes. If one just looks at the numbers, 23-1-1, Sykes has had a good career to date but upon closer inspection cracks begin to appear in the facade. The Brooklyn man has only six stoppages to his credit, and that lack of power will be a great disadvantage in keeping the very willful and strong Peter at bay. Sykes has never mixed with anyone in the top class and may very well suffer his first knockout loss at the hands of the Nigerian, who also hasn’t faced the top men but has impressively belted out the level of opponent that has either defeated Sykes (Owen Beck) or drawn with him (Imamu Mayfield). Peter has met a few foes who have managed to stand up to his offense and Sykes may very well finish the contest on his feet as well but it will take a letter perfect performance from the underdog to succeed against Samuel Peter where twenty three others have failed.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: Samuel Peter is a fighter who supports a 23-0 record and an eye opening twenty knockouts. He is already hitting his opponent like a punching bag, Taurus Sykes 23-1-1 and with knockouts in press releases and as we all know, that’s promotion. However, it could be fuel to Peter’s prediction of a knockout win. Sykes is a decent challenge for Peter and could evoke the boxing abilities out of Peter. This is a fight of importance for both fighters, Sykes is not really on the path of earning knockout artist awards and this could play a huge factor in the fight. Peter will come out early, pacing and timing his shots, as he builds confidence, he will start to feel his way around the ring and start to land some early crowd-pleasing shots. Sykes will show us a little boxing lesson, but the power of Peter will be too much. Round eight will be the final round of this fight, as Peter will land an outstanding power punch and the fighter in Sykes is going to want to get up, but his body is going to stay down.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
