BoxRec

Presuming Sam Peter can become the heavyweight boss, how much of a star could he be? How much of a trickle down effect will he have?

Boxing seemed very healthy in the Lewis, Holy, Tyson era. There was so much more of a buzz about it and Sky seemed far more involved than they are now.

I believe he can be very big. He got himself in shape for Toney and displayed patience, skill & power. I loved the way he made sure to touch Toney - who has that tricky head movement - before whacking him. His jabbing, uppercutting and variety were also impressive.

I admire any fighter than improves his skill and conditioning, & it's up to Peter to stay in shape and keep working hard.

For me, Peter showed a Lennox-style power and patience.


Peter knocked Wlad down 3x when he was just a fat banger. He showed he can box clever, to catch a small target. Now he must show the adaptability to to get Wlad. We'll see...


How big can he be in boxing, what impact will it have on boxing, will his (presumed) continued success have a bearing on the likes of Audley?

Sam Peter can be a big star, first African heavyweight champ etc. Hes also quite exciting, a big puncher. He seems like a step ahead of the non-entities inhabiting the division at the moment, and he'd smash Harrison, Skelton etc IMO

I was very impressed with Peter in the second Toney fight, he looked in good shape and he bossed the fight from the off. I think Peter will be a star in the division for years to come, but I think there's potential for him to be outboxed from distance

dr_devious wrote:Sam Peter can be a big star, first African heavyweight champ etc. Hes also quite exciting, a big puncher. He seems like a step ahead of the non-entities inhabiting the division at the moment, and he'd smash Harrison, Skelton etc IMO

Yes, it's possible he will get some press because of being first African champ etc....

I don't think he's THAT big a puncher though - he's also one of the ugliest peoiple I've ever seen.... but this might actually help him as he may look more menacing.

Overall though, I think he lacks the personality and skills aren't quite good enough to be an actual 'star'. He has also yet to win a championship, and one good performance (and against an ageing severely overweight, albeit excellent middleweight) is not enough to convince.

And yes, he did knock WLadimir down 3 times, but Wlad's chin is not the stuirdiest and the rest of the fight he was thoroughly outboxed and almost dropped in the last round.

What's the expression? One swallow does not a summer make or something.....

I think it's significant that King has a piece of Peter.

He bought out the flagging Main Events, whose top fighters all defected/got beat last year - except Peter.

Maybe King will put more big shows on - he's been relatively obscure in the welter, junior middle and cruiser classes, low profile fighters poss being the only ones that want to fight for him - which would hopefully mean more interesting undercards, more of a buzz in general, etc etc.

I can't help but think if Peter wins the WBC, that fights with Wlad and Valuev would be effing huge.


I'm optimistic, because he's building his skills up - to go with his chin and heavy hands. Toney was expert at lulling heavyweights to mediocre sleepwalks, and thanks to Peter he woke up, fought an accomplished fight, and mixed in some nice power punchers. Also, when did a heavyweihgt slim down? I'm impressed and Im interested in the heavies now.

I don't think he will be a big star - mainly because he is so hard to understand when being interviewed. Post fight press conferences will not be an "event" like it was in the Lewis era.

I aint seen his Toney performance, so I won't judge his in ring performance.

But he can maybe cash in on the Ibeabuchi myth - by delivering somewhat on Ike's potential.

Humbling Toney can't be far off smashing Byrd in terms of achievement.

Maybe Peter can't be a major star. But ppl will be interested in a skilled puncher, everyone loves a winner, and matches with behemoths Valuev and Wlad will certainly qualify as events.

I reckon a fight with Maskaev would stir interest, as there's the feeling that peter will knock him senseless & thus deserves the belt that he had to win 2 elims for. There is definitely the "destiny" factor, if you know what I mean.

IMO the heavyweights are waking up. Audley included.

He didn't look much different even when Toney was shite. He still won though.

Wlad's 2 of the 3 knockdowns were back of the head shots too though. Wlad would outbox a Peter who's using skill as well.

Max Molyneux wrote:He didn't look much different even when Toney was shite. He still won though.

Wlad's 2 of the 3 knockdowns were back of the head shots too though. Wlad would outbox a Peter who's using skill as well.

Peter was radically different. 1st fight he didn't do much more than throw right counters over Toney's lazy left hook.

Toney's muscles didn't help Toney punch - never have done & kills his fluidity - but he was more solid 2nd time, was able to move more. Toney had to try more, because this was a way fitter and more accomplished Peter, who no doubt learned a lot from the first fight.

He couldn't cope with Peter fighting like a heavyweight -using a thudding jab, using his reach, good arsenal of shots and underrated ring generalship. Peter is the only heavyweight to wake up and use his advantages on JT.

I agree Peter was much improved in the second fight, whereas Toney was doing the same as the first fight

Toney did take more chances. Leaving him more open. Crucial part was Peter finding the proper distance for his jab. Toney couldn't work his own jab - 1st fight his jab was superb. So i think Toney had to come forward more and thus open to a shellacking.

viciousmaussa wrote:

Max Molyneux wrote:He didn't look much different even when Toney was shite. He still won though.

Wlad's 2 of the 3 knockdowns were back of the head shots too though. Wlad would outbox a Peter who's using skill as well.

Peter was radically different. 1st fight he didn't do much more than throw right counters over Toney's lazy left hook.

Toney's muscles didn't help Toney punch - never have done & kills his fluidity - but he was more solid 2nd time, was able to move more. Toney had to try more, because this was a way fitter and more accomplished Peter, who no doubt learned a lot from the first fight.

He couldn't cope with Peter fighting like a heavyweight -using a thudding jab, using his reach, good arsenal of shots and underrated ring generalship. Peter is the only heavyweight to wake up and use his advantages on JT.

Aye, noticed a better Jab on Peter this time and at least he wasn't beaten this time by an ex middleweight, but still doesn't look like he can go far.

He didn't do no Ali on Toney like he was making out either.

Shame Toney was horribly robbed In the first fight otherwise there wouldn't of been a rematch but Duva and King want to promote Peter.

What do you think of the rumours floating around that Peter is fibbing about his age and is actually around 35 or 36 years old?

I dunno, if he can use his size and power, in an educated way, I think he can go very far. I am convinced by him - but I will stop being convinced if he cannot use that kind of adaptability on different styles. So far I'm very excited about Peter - something I never thought I would be.

I think 1 complaint was SP didn't try to demolish Toney, but IMO his goal was to touch that rolling head, then explode on it.

Depends if Peter is serious. He can go back to being a fat roundhouse swingig ogre with a neck that's too big for his head. Or he can melt off a few more pounds, & continue to develop his skills.

ebeneezer wrote:What do you think of the rumours floating around that Peter is fibbing about his age and is actually around 35 or 36 years old?

Sometimes it's hard to tell with these African fellows, remember 1990 World Cup star Roger Milla and his age deception? I agree Peter looks older than 25 but if i got punched in the face for a living i probably would too.

dr_devious wrote:Sam Peter can be a big star, first African heavyweight champ etc.

What about Gerrie Coetzee?

Let's see Peter in with another big boned heavyweight. The one thing he didn't have to worry about was Toney's punch power, he's got a good chin, but I'd like to see him take some shots off of another big puncher. Wlad never really committed to his shots against Peter.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Let's see Peter in with another big boned heavyweight. The one thing he didn't have to worry about was Toney's punch power, he's got a good chin, but I'd like to see him take some shots off of another big puncher. Wlad never really committed to his shots against Peter.

True, but in the 12th he did crack Peter full on with a left hook that made Samuel do a dance.

Valuev has big bones. That might be interesting.

Valuev fights McCline on Saturday, btw.

viciousmaussa wrote:Valuev has big bones. That might be interesting.

Valuev fights McCline on Saturday, btw.

You know, I'd forgotten all about it until I checked fightnews earlier. Why the fornicate is it taking place in Switzerland? And why is McCline claiming his speed is going to trouble Valuev? Face it Jameel, you're crap. I know Valuev is slow as shit through a funnel, but you're not really any better.

states wrote:

viciousmaussa wrote:Valuev has big bones. That might be interesting.

Valuev fights McCline on Saturday, btw.

You know, I'd forgotten all about it until I checked fightnews earlier. Why the eff is it taking place in Switzerland? And why is McCline claiming his speed is going to trouble Valuev? Face it Jameel, you're crap. I know Valuev is slow as shit through a funnel, but you're not really any better.

Jameel's been 1 big letdown since that shock win over Boswell. IMO 'Big Time' will be in his shell. I reckon Valuev's improving & wouldn't be surprised if he dropped him a few times.

What people forget is that Peter is still relatively young in heavyweight years (what, 25/26?) and has boxed Wlad and Toney twice in his last few fights. That's excellent experience and against Toney in the second fight he seems to have stepped up a level. From what I've read he showed improved skills, conditioning and maturity the second time round against Toney.

If he keeps his feet on the ground and doesn't do an Ike Ibeabuchi and lose it, he could come out the best of the current crop of heavyweights in the next year or two.

I'd love to see him in a rematch with Klitschko and would fancy him to come out on top. Experience counted against him the first time but I feel he would get to Wlad and even get him out of there if they were to fight again.

Peter seems to be a fighter who gets better for the experience...His skills were marvellous vs Toney 2.