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On Showtime in front of the Reno, Nevada crowd, highly touted heavyweight contender Samuel Peter extended his unbeaten record to 24-0 (21) with yet another knockout victory giving the hard hitter a four KO win streak. The twenty-four year old Nigerian born boxer made quick and easy work of his opponent Taurus Sykes, who drops to 23-2-1 (6), by utilizing his size and power advantage to back up the New Yorker for two rounds until landing the solid shot to call it a night. Showing little effort to establish any type of notable boxing skills, Peter did establish his one true attribute: power.
After the war of words the two babbled out to one another before this bout both made their way to the ring with smiles and in good cheer and afterwards were both respectful to one another. Round one the two sized one another up with Sykes using his jab and dodging and ducking the power shots that Peter had to offer up. Samuel backed up Sykes throwing his usual power shots with no fear of Sykes’s power, or lack thereof.
Round two was more of the same with Sykes fighting while in retreat of Peter’s pressure, and when the two tied up after Sykes ate a snapping shot he looked and smiled at his corner as to say that all is well… but was it? Peter landed that one shot, an overhand right that stung Sykes, and then a barrage of wild shots followed. Sykes was sent to the ropes with the onslaught of punishment that Peter had to offer, ending the fight with his back to Peter tasting a left hand and a final grazing right hand to the head that sunk Sykes to the canvas. Referee Vic Drakulich made it to the count of five before calling it off, ending the fight at 2:07 in the second round. Sykes became another helpless victim for the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ who is progressing at a steady pace to the top of the division’s elite.
Peter strapped on the NABA title as well as keeping his NABF and USBA heavyweight belts, but his eye is on the big prize. Even though Sykes tasted defeat for the second time in his career he offered up smiles to the crowd and camera while in his victory Peter aggressively shouted, “Who’s next!”
Who is next? Peter stated “I’m going to get what is mine” and told Jim Grey “You can see that I am ready” when the colorful reporter asked the twenty-four year old if he was ready. Peter, who isn’t known for his passive personality, even stated that he is strong enough to take anybodies punches in the division; he even gave a sarcastic shout out to his good friend WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz; is that actually a call out? In a division that most say is wide open, where does Sam Peter stand?
That remains to be seen.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr. (July 3, 2005)
