|

Ringside Boxing Report: Samuel Peter – Julius Long

ByRichmann

Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter needed only 2:31 of the first round to dispose of seven foot tall Julius Long at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut last night on a Duva promotion televised by ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights. In his second bout after a disappointing close decision loss to the newly crowned IBF Heavyweight Champion, Wladimir Klitschko, Peter was determined to show all in attendance why he is called the hardest puncher in boxing.

At first, Long used his height and reach advantage, attempting to establish a stiff jab to set up Peter for the right hand. Peter was able to slip Long’s jab with ducking and head movement, using his own jab to find his taller target. Peter also used looping right hands to connect when unable slip Long’s jab and soon scored a knockdown. Peter also showed better footwork and movement in stalking his opponent to finally close the gap and almost knock Long out of the ring to end the fight in an impressive manner.

Peter hit Long so hard the seven footer appeared to be momentarily unconscious on the canvas as emergency technicians rushed to his aide. Long would eventually leave the ring unassisted.

With this victory, Peter captures the vacant NABF heavyweight title. During the post fight interview, “The Nigerian Nightmare” told SaddoBoxing that he attributed his success in defeating Long to his new trainer, Jesse Reid, who helped him prepare well for the taller opponent. When asked if he wanted a rematch with Klitschko, Peter, oozing with confidence, stated that he will fight any heavyweight champion who is willing to give him an opportunity. Samuel Peter is now 26-1 (22).

In the co-feature, Brian Minto faced off against tough Billy Zumbrun in an eight round heavyweight bout. From the opening bell it was clear that Zumbrun was not there to just be an opponent. Minto established a very good jab and used it to set up shots to the head and body of his opponent. By round two, unable to figure out a way past Minto’s jab, Zumbrun resorted to brawling tactics with some success. In the third, Zumbrun began to find his rhythm and connected with a good right hand, appearing to hurt the retreating Minto.

Rounds four through six were more of the same action of round three. In the seventh, Minto appeared to hurt and almost stop Zumbrun in the last ten seconds of the round. In the eighth and final round, perhaps sensing blood, Minto charged for the kill, coming out as the aggressor and battering his opponent for most of the frame. Zumbrun gamely fought back and survived the round but lost the fight. The official scores were 78-74, 79-73, and 79-72, all for Minto. SaddoBoxing scored the bout 77-70. With the win, Brian Minto improves to 24-1-0 (14).

In other bouts, heavyweight Mike Marrone, 14-0 (11), with boxing icon Lou Duva in his corner, made short work of Dan Whetzel, 7-6-1 (4) with a TKO in the first. Middleweights Lajuan Simon, 13-0-2-1NC (8) and Darnell Boone, 10-5-2 (4), fought to a controversial draw. The official scores were 58-56 for Simon, 58-56 Boone, and 57-57 even. SaddoBoxing scored the fight 59-55 for Boone, who clearly outboxed Simon. Lastly, lightweight Kevin Carmody improved his record to 6-6-1 (6) in an upset victory over Carlos Vinan 5-2-0 (1).

Contact Richmann: Richmann05@aol.com.