Samuel Peter: A Lion Looking to Pounce on the Heavyweight Division.

“I knocked out the Cuban amateur star Felix Savon in Cuba, in two rounds (sparring session) you know, but nobody ever talks about that. Oh my God man! He could really hit hard you know (laughing).”–Samuel Peter on his readiness to step into the heavyweight big league.

Akwaibom, Nigeria born Samuel Peter (23-0-0 with 20 KOs) was making a slow, steady climb up the heavyweight ranks, with little exposure to the mass boxing public. Sure, most of us had heard of him mentioned in several boxing circles because of his perceived power, but had not actually seen him fight or, if we had, were not very impressed by what we saw. Then, it happened! On December 24, 2004, televised on Showtime, the Nigerian puncher gave us a glimpse of that raw power as he practically beheaded the respected Jeremy “Hal-Man/Half Amazing” Williams in the second round of their contest. A crushing left cross sent Jeremy’s body flying to the canvas, rendering him unconscious instantly. It was a scary moment to see Williams’ seemingly lifeless body spread out on the ring floor as medical aid rushed to him. Since that night, Peter has stopped two more opponents totaling eight rounds of work this entire year. It makes one wonder, with all that power, can it actually be detrimental to his progression as a fighter, considering that he did not have much of an amateur career, that he is not logging in many rounds as a professional? “No it’s not you know. I really work hard and I always train to go fifteen rounds, ten rounds, or twelve rounds you know. I end fights like that because I am always training very hard. I don’t ever waste anytime in the ring you know. If a guy wants to get knocked out in one or two rounds you know, it’s up to him. You know, if someone doesn’t want to take punishment for ten rounds or twelve rounds you know, then they just get knocked out,” said Samuel Peter to this writer via cell phone from his home base of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is preparing for a July 2 fight against Taurus Sykes. In reference to Sykes, Peter had this to say, “You know, in a press conference he told me that I ain’t done shit you know. On July 2 you know, he is going to be reduced. He is going to be less you know.”

Do not miss the rest of this latest SaddoBoxing exclusive interview with powerful heavyweight contender Samuel Peter.

Peter, who is a latecomer to boxing, is literally learning on the job as he had a very short amateur career with approximately twenty bouts. His fistic journey began at the age of sixteen as Samuel started to learn the sweet science in his native Nigeria. Soon after he began his training, Peter would beat a not well-liked schoolmaster in front of several of the other students, knocking his elder down. “You know, I started to learn from him and he taught me how to throw the jab and the right hand you know. I was going to school full-time and training after, you know. We ended putting the gloves on you know and I knocked him out (laughing). You know it did not last long because every time I threw a punch, he went down (laughing).”

Power is often the ultimate equalizer as many past fighters have been able to make up for lack of technical perfection, experience, or talent by simply being able to turn or end a fight at anytime with one thudding shot. His power is something that Samuel really believes in. “I am confident that there is no one in the heavyweight division that can take my power you know. Any fighter that stands with me will get knocked out.”

It is that same confidence that has Samuel calling out all of the belt holders of the division. Peter feels that there is no one true recognized champion right now, and he plans to change that as soon as possible. “I see myself as a future world champion. I would love to fight anyone that is willing to fight me you know. I want to become the recognized world heavyweight champion.”

With that kind of bravado, it makes you wonder how he can feel so ready for seasoned fighters like Chris Byrd, or Vitali Klitschko? What makes him think that he himself can take a serious heavyweight punch and compete with pugilist that have a lot more experience? “I know I can take a punch you know because I’ve been hit by some strong punchers. I knocked out the Cuban amateur star Felix Savon in Cuba, in two rounds (sparring session) you know, but nobody ever talks about that. Oh my God man! He could really hit hard you know (laughing). That was in 1999 when I was training with the national team before the 2000 Olympics, you know. I also knocked out their super heavyweight, Rubacalba (Alexis, another Cuban amateur star), in Cuba (sparring session). I have been hit by very strong guys and I know I’m ready for anyone you know. I will be a true champion that takes on anyone and give the people real fights. Vitali is not a true champion like me. A true champion fights anyone you know. There is no “my leg hurts, my head hurts or my back hurts,’ you know. A true champion is ready to fight a lion. Is he ready to fight a lion? I am the Lion and will be world champion.”

“The Lion”, that is a nickname for Peter to consider since he officially does not have one. In closing, Samuel had this to say, “I want to shout out to all my fans. I love you and want to say hi to you. I am going to continue until I become a world champion. On July 2nd, I will be defending my two titles (USBA and NABF- minor titles) so that will be a happy day for all my fans.”

If Samuel Peter (to me now: Samuel “The Lion” Peter, as it is still unofficial) is able to accomplish his goal of becoming the recognized champion, then it will be a happy day for all of us since the heavyweight division will have someone we can point to and say, “that’s the true heavyweight champion of the world!” Hey, we can still dream, right?

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com