by James Slater – Samuel Peter may be on the verge of another crack at a major title. Looking back to his best last night in destroying Nagy Aguilera inside two-impressive rounds in an IBF heavyweight title fight eliminator, the 29-year-old former WBC heavyweight ruler looked trim, pretty fast and, above all powerful!
Peter dropped the man who shocked another former WBC heavyweight titlist in Oleg Maskaev back in January, with a brutal right hand to the head in the 2nd-round, and his follow-up attack left Aguilera pinned on the ropes.. Referee Laurence Cole had no choice but to dive in and stop the fight. The official time was two-minutes and 44-seconds of the round. Nigeria’s Peter is now 34-3(27). The 23-year-old from The Dominican Republic is now 15-3(10).
Although Peter will always have heavy hands, what was more encouraging to his fans last night was his physical appearance. Coming into the important bout at a fit and ready 237.5-pounds, the former WBC champ looked as though he really has been rededicating himself to training in the months that followed his disappointing loss to “Fast” Eddie Chambers, when he tipped in at an unseemly 265-pounds. Not since way back in 2001 has the Nigerian, who looks as though he may well become a nightmare once again for the top of the division, been as light as he was last night in Grapevine, Texas.
Okay, Peter’s critics will say he never really had anyone too dangerous in front of him last night in Aguilera. And it’s true, the December KO of “The Big O” aside, the 23-year-old has not done too much as a pro. However, Aguilera had never been stopped before last night, he is young and ambitious and he came to win against Peter. As such, the win deserves some respect, and, plain and simple, Sam looked better than he has in years.
So what next for the heavy-handed slugger who seems to have the desire and fire back inside him?
As quoted by ESPN.com, Peter said post-fight how he wants a title shot against Wladimir Klitschko, or failing that a fight with the unbeaten Alexander Povetkin.
“Povetkin or Klitschko, I’m ready,” Peter said after having dispatched Aguilera. “Povetkin has been the mandatory [for Wladimir] forever. He and Klitschko need to fight or he needs to get out of my way.”
Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotzev also called out Wladimir Klitschko, the Ring magazine, IBF and WBO heavyweight king.
“Wladimir, come on. We’re here to finish what we started in 2005,” Gotzev bellowed.
Peter’s man is referring to the non-title fight Peter and Wladimir Klitschko had in September of 2005, when an unbeaten Peter dropped “Dr Steel Hammer” three times only to lose a close decision. Certainly, with his renewed fitness and dedication, a return fight would be worth seeing. As too would a Peter Vs. David Haye clash. The chances of the Nigerian bomber going back in with Vitali Klitschko – the man he so meekly quit against after eight-rounds back in October of 2008, losing his belt in the process – look slim, though.
With a lack of exciting power punchers in today’s heavyweight division, Peter will almost certainly get another title fight soon; while a fight between he and the unbeaten Povetkin would also prove a hit with the fans. Now 4-0(4) in his post-Chambers comeback, Sam Peter is back in the thick of things in boxing’s ultimate weight class.