Boxing News Boxing News
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Don King hosted a luncheon at the Rainbow Room in New York City yesterday to announce the first big fight of 2007. Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter will face James “Lights Out” Toney for a WBC-ordered rematch at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL on January 6, 2007. WBA Super Welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera (38-4-1, 24 KOs) will make his first title defense against undefeated, WBA Champion in recess, Travis Simms (24-0, 18 KOs) as the co-feature.
The co-feature has an interesting story around it. Simms won the WBA Super Welterweight title against Alejandro Garcia back in 2003 and went on to successfully defend his title in October 2004 against Bronco McKart. Although Simms remained the WBA Champion in recess, Garcia won the title in 2005 against Luca Messi. Rivera then won the title from Garcia in a spectacular performance dropping Garcia four times winning a unanimous decision on May 6 of this year.
Travis Simms was the first to speak at the podium. “I am just happy to be back it’s been two long years of BS…I’m just happy to get all that behind me and I just look forward to getting out there and defending my title and showing everyone who is the real Junior Middleweight champion of the world and taking over this division.”
Jose Rivera also spoke about defending the title. “I have had great opportunities in my life. I am very grateful to be a part of this show. Not many people understand my background and where I come from. For me to be here today it’s an honor for me to be part of this show. I look forward to January 6 it’s gonna be a great fight, I have no doubt about that. I look forward to putting on a great performance. There is one thing for sure, you always know whenever you see me fight; win, loose or draw it’s gonna be a great fight.”
The main event, Peter v Toney II is titled “Redemption” and is a WBC-ordered rematch due to the first fight being considered too close to call. The first bout on September 2, 2006 held a lot of bad feelings between the fighters and although the fireworks were anticipated from much of the media we were surprised to see the fighters subdued.
Toney’s long time promoter Dan Goossen spoke about Toney’s first performance against Peter. He thought that Toney had one ingredient missing from the first fight, not that he was out of shape but that he was not in the best shape he could be in. After the first fight Toney told Goossen he wanted to get his abilities completely wrinkle free and decided to add Billy Blanks of Tae-Bo fame, to his team to help with conditioning.
Goossen introduced Toney who only spoke briefly. “I want to thank everyone for coming out today… I am looking forward to the fight January 6, I’m excited, I can’t wait, everything’s good, have a great day, see you all then.”
Sam Peter was not as brief as Toney, but did not have much more to say at the podium. “I just want to thank everyone for coming and for the opportunity again to redeem myself as the true champion… I would love for everyone to watch me, Samuel Peter and James Toney do it again.”
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