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Samuel Okon Peter
(born
September 6,
1980 in
Akwa Ibom,
Nigeria),
 nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," is a
heavyweight
boxer who is considered by many to be one of the strongest punchers
in the heavyweight division.Early
years and amateur career
Originally, Peter's preferred sport was
soccer. In
1992, some boxers came to Peter's school to train. The curious young
11-year-old stopped by and asked if he could train along with them. He
was put up against an experienced amateur and knocked him out.[citation
needed ] This marked the beginning of a successful amateur
career for Peter.
Samuel
Peter won the
Nigerian amateur heavyweight championship and the
Africa Zone 3 Heavyweight championship while compiling an amateur
record of 18 wins and only 2 losses. He faced stiff competition as an
amateur (including a knockout victory over
2000 Silver Medalist
Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of
Kazakhstan). However, he prevailed and was given the opportunity to
represent
Nigeria at the
2000
Sydney, Australia
Summer Olympics.
Peter lost
in the quarterfinals to
Italian
Paolo Vidoz by decision. However, his performance was noted for
being very impressive from such a young pugilist and hence more
excitement was generated for him than the eventual Gold Medalist,
Audley Harrison, whom Peter had lost a very close decision to just a
few months before the
Olympics.Professional
career
 Immediately after the
Olympics, Ivaylo Gotzev signed on as Samuel Peter's manager. They
were then able to land a promotional deal with Dino Duva of Duva Boxing.
As of January
2007, Peter's professional ring record stands at 28-1 (with 22
knockouts).
Though
Peter posted a string of 1st-round knockouts at the beginning of his
career, he fought to 2 consecutive decisions against
Charles Shufford and Jovo Pudar in
2004. Some critics asked if Peter could exhibit the one-punch
knockout power he had exhibited in his early days against stronger
opposition.
Peter won
a victory against
Jeremy Williams on
December 4,
2004 by knockout 27 seconds into the second round, to win the vacant
NABF Heavyweight title. He then defeated
Yanqui Diaz on
January 22,
2005 to win the vacant USBA Heavyweight title.
Peter then
went on to defeat NABA Heavyweight champion
Taurus Sykes in
Reno,
NV on
July 2,
2005 in a unification match.
On
September 24, 2005 Peter faced
Wladimir Klitschko in an elimination match in
Atlantic City for the
IBF and
WBO world titles, in which Peter's NABF title was also on the line.
Despite the fact that Peter knocked Klitscko down 3 times over the
course of the fight, his failure to sustain a consistent attack led to
his demise. Klitschko won the match by unanimous decision with all three
judges giving a 114-111 score favouring the Ukrainian.
On
December 15, 2005 Peter faced Robert Hawkins and won 10 round
decision.
Peter's
management recruited trainer Jesse Reid, who had worked with
Roger Mayweather and
Lamon Brewster. Reid later left Peter to work with Tye Fields.
Peter
regained the NABF title (vacated by Klitschko after his victory) on
April 28,
2006, by defeating
Julius Long.Outside
The Ring
Samuel
Peter is a devout
Christian man who neither drinks nor smokes.[citation
needed] He lives in
Las Vegas, Nevada.Peter, who is managed by Ivalio Gotsev, is a
stablemate to former
WBO Heavyweight champion
Sergei Liakhovich. Peter is now promoted by Duva Boxing and is
trained by Pops Anderson as well as former champion
Boza Edwards. |
