PETERS VS SYKES
PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS
By Michael Amakor
On July 2nd at
the Reno Events Center in Reno Nevada NABF and USBA Heavyweight Champion
Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peters puts his titles on the line against
Taurus “The Bull” Sykes in a unification bout on Showtime TV.
Not much is known about the Bull, the thirty three year old underdog,
especially since he will tell you that some of the heavy hitters in the
division have been ducking him, but he is the newly crowned NABA Heavyweight
Champion which he seized by besting capable Friday Ahunanya over 12 rounds
in March. A review of his dossier shows victories over vaguely recognizable
journey men live Jovo Pudor, Sherman Williams and faded former IBF
Cruiserweight Champion Imamu Mayfield.
In this fight he has his hands full against the 25 year old Samuel Peters
who possesses natural punching power in both hands and was a quarter
finalist at the 2000 Olympic Games. The nightmare from Nigeria currently
sports an unbeaten record of 23 victories with 20 of these victories coming
inside the distance, only three of his fights have gone the distance against
vastly more experienced veterans like Marion Wilson, Jovo Podo, and Charles
Shufford earlier on in his career He is being hailed and wished by the
boxing establishment as the next young great Heavyweight. His knockouts have
been so savage and sudden you are immediately reminded of a young Mike
Tyson. Boxing historians will compare him to another great Nigerian
Heavyweight “The President” Ike Ibabuchi whose express run towards the
heavyweight title was suddenly derailed after he went to jail over a rape
conviction wondering about what could have been and praying that Peters goes
all the way and realizes his potential.
Against a common
opponent, Jovo Pudor both fighters eeked out twelve round decisions, which
may indicate that this fight is a competitive match up as both fighters seem
to be at the same experience and skill level. Both guys sport a motley
collection of C class fighters with a couple of B minuses on their resumes
with Sam Peters getting the nod due to his recent and more spectacular
knockouts wins over ranked foes.
We will all be
curious to see whether Sykes confidence and overall boxing ability could
bull it out against a Sam Peters who has the killer instinct and power to
knock him down and out before a stamina war ensues down the stretch.
What ever
happens, one thing is clear, the outcome of this fight will flush out a
pretender to the throne and speak volumes about the victor’s pedigree to
become a challenger for one of the more recognizable titles down the
stretch.
May the best Man win
|