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Photo by David M Warr / DKP — Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter survived three early knockdowns and earned a unanimous decision victory in the first defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) interim heavyweight title against Jameel “Big Time” McCline on Saturday night’s edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at Madison Square Garden. The main event of the one-fight telecast was presented by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden and Duva Boxing. Judges ringside scored the fight 115-110, 115-111 and 113-112. The announced attendance was 7,102..
Peter, who was awarded the WBC interim belt last week, battled back from the brink of defeat in the third round and stole the bout with an impressive display of heart, will and skill. Peter went down for the first time in his career late in the second round. Following a clash of bodies that had Peter slightly off balance, McCline knocked Peter down with an uppercut just before the bell.
Peter may have been dazed as the third round began and McCline took advantage. The 37-year-old, Harlem-born veteran challenger landed a tremendous uppercut to again send Peter down. After Peter beat the count, McCline continued his assault, his dream of winning a world championship well within his reach.
A barrage of powerful combinations by McCline caught Peter flush. The young champion absorbed many blows to the head before going down for the third time in the bout, second time in the round, mid-way thru the third.
But McCline could not maintain his furious punching pace to finish the valiant Nigerian.
Incredibly, Peter recovered in the fourth and took control of the fight from there on, nearly shutting out McCline on all the judges score cards (McCline won two rounds on one card and one round on another from rounds four -12).
McCline showed his incredible resiliency and heart throughout. Although the frantic pace of the third round slowed as the bout wore on, both fighters did effective work in big exchanges all night.
When asked how he could come back from such a devastating series of punches from the big hitting McCline, Peter replied, “Because I am the WBC World Champion. I got this belt and I’ve got to defend it.
“I felt his power. I got caught with good punches, but I slipped on the paint as well. He’s heavy, 280 pounds.
“If you don’t fall down, you can never stand up,” said Peter.
“I am going home to bring the heavyweight belt to Africa. I am going home.”
Peter improves his record to 28-1 (22 KO’s) while McCline drops to 38-8-3 (23 KOs) and not knowing if he’ll ever get this close to a world title again.
“I could see a split decision or a one point loss,” said a dejected McCline to SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray. “But a unanimous decision, come on.”
“I thought I had him (in the third). He got away and that’s why he is the champion.”
Peter improves his record to 28-1 (22 KO’s) while McCline drops to 38-8-3 (23 KOs) and not knowing if he’ll ever get this close to a world title again.
Catch the replay of Saturday’s explosive fight:
Sunday, October 7 1:00 a.m. SHO TOO
Monday, October 8 8:00 p.m. SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, October 9 10:00 p.m. SHOW TOO
Wednesday, October 10 12:00 a.m. SHOWTIME
Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Jim Gray reporting from Madison Square Garden. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.