Dino Duva’s Heavyweight Boxing Trifecta

ByBoxing Press

Peter, Minto And Marrone All Win Big At Mohegan Sun

Since it’s Kentucky Derby week, let’s use some racing jargon to describe Duva Boxing’s big Friday night in Uncasville, CT. Promoter Dino Duva registered a heavyweight trifecta at Mohegan Sun Arena with three impressive performances on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

In the main event, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter scored a devastating first round knockout victory over Julius Long in a heavyweight battle that was over before it started. Peter, sharp and aggressive from the opening bell, unloaded a series of combinations before Long went down for good at 2:35 of the first stanza. Peter captured the vacant NABF heavyweight title with the win.

“You have to be aggressive if you want a knockout,” said Peter, who upped his record to 26-1, with 22 victories coming by way of KO. “That was the game plan. You have to get in there, be aggressive, even if your opponent has a knife.”

Who’s next for the Nigerian Nightmare? “Anybody, anybody, anybody,” he roared after the fight. “Anybody who has a title. I want to win the heavyweight championship.”

When asked about Wladimir Klitschko, who beat Peter on a decision last year before knocking out Chris Byrd to win the IBF Heavyweight Championship a couple of weeks ago, Peter said: “I will destroy Wladimir Klitschko. I learned a lot from the last fight. It wasn’t my time, now it’s my time.”

Said Duva after the Peter victory: “Sam’s next fight will be a big, meaningful bout in the summer.”

In contrast to Peter’s first round knockout, Brian Minto went the distance, but scored the unanimous triumph over Billy Zumbrun in an 8-round heavyweight affair. Illustrating that he was rugged as well as durable, “The Beast” dominated Zumbrun with his left jab. Minto upped his record to 24-1, with 14 KO’s. The native of Butler, Pennsylvania got past a tough-minded Zumbrun, and is now poised for bigger opportunities and better opponents in the heavyweight division.

Meanwhile, unbeaten up and coming heavyweight prospect Mike Marrone scored a “you missed it if you blinked” first round knockout over Dan Whetzel. Marrone’s record now stands at 13-0, as he ascends the heavyweight ranks with his 10th knockout victory.

Duva’s heavyweights are hot! Who do you like in the Kentucky Derby, Dino?