Nigeria’s Samuel Okon Peter has made history as the first Nigerian and African to become the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, though on interim capacity and defend it. He became an interim World Heavyweight champion following the aborted fight between him and the Russian title holder, Oleg Maskaev, owing to Oleg’s injury claims.
The Akwa-Ibom State born pugilist popularly known as the ‘Nigerian Nightmare,’ defended this rare feat of achievement on October 6, 2007 by defeating his challenger, Jameel McCline of the United States through a unanimous decision at the Madison Square Garden, New York, the venue of the action-packed 12 rounds encounter.
With this uncommon achievement, Peter has written his name in gold in the world boxing hall of fame. He has thus joined other world greats that have been adorned by the world’s most glamorous boxing title.
Peter’s rise to fame and stardom was not a happenstance or something achieved by a sudden flight. His was borne out of love for, determination and the zeal to excel in one’s chosen field, the odds notwithstanding. His foray into boxing started early in life, brightened through his amateur years and blossomed with his going professional. In his amateur category, Peter at different times won the Nigerian Amateur Heavyweight Championship and the Africa Zone 3 Heavyweight Championship. He represented Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics where he won a bronze medal. He became a professional boxer in 2001. Since then, he has had intimidating records of 22 knockouts in his 28 wins and one defeat.
But Peter’s move to the heavyweight boxing category was daunting. His first fight in this category against America’s James Toney, which everybody gave to Peter, was awarded to the American to the chagrin of the American public and Nigerians who cried out against the perceived injustice. In their second fight, Peter won and literally taunted the American.
Other contenders to the heavyweight title especially Oleg Maskeav, through one reason or the other had chickened out until it fell on McCline who Peter defeated.
In spite of monetary inducement to him to step aside, Peter was determined to have a shot at the heavyweight boxing category. Not even mouth- watering monetary inducement by his opponents could make him reverse his eternal resolve to fly the nation’s flag at the world biggest boxing event.
Peter has with this victory reignited the boxing flame that was lit by the likes of the late Hongan Kid Bassey (Featherweight) and the late Dick Tiger Ihetu (Middleweight and Lightweight) and others like Obisia Nwankpa and Eddie Ndukwu.
We commend Peter for recording this famous milestone in the annals of the world’s boxing history. It is a great honour to him and his country Nigeria as well as the African continent. But the new champion should guard against the pitfalls of boxing greats and emulate the shining and sterling qualities of renowned world boxing champions like Mohammed Ali and bring back the past glory of this glamorous sports to Nigeria where boxing has, for sometime, been witnessing some steady decline.
Let the boxing authorities in Nigeria use this moment of Peter’s glory to reinvigorate the sport in Nigeria.
There is no doubt that many Samuel Peters might be lurking the nooks and crannies of Nigeria doing one menial job or the other without realizing their full potentialities. The Nigerian Police, the primary constituency of Peter, should promote and assist him in his new career as they have assisted other police sports men and women.
The government should honour Peter for making the country proud in global boxing arena and help him to bring more boxing laurels to the fatherland.