26.04.05 – During the past 11 months, undefeated and reigning North American Boxing Federation and United States Boxing Association heavyweight champion Samuel Peter of Las Vegas has made considerable headway in his assault on a world title. But, then, why not, since the highly regarded, 24-year-old slugger has vowed that winning a world championship is his life’s work..
Peter attempts to continue that rise when he appears in the main event on a nationally televised card promoted by Duva Boxing Friday, April 29, at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
The world-ranked Peter faces rugged left-hander Gilbert Martinez of Sacramento, Calif., in the 10-round bout.
Peter, originally from Nigeria, has a record of 22-0 with 19 knockouts and is almost unanimously regarded as a future world champion.
Which is exactly what Peter has in mind.
“My life’s mission is to get a belt and be recognized as world champion.” said Peter. “I was meant to be heavyweight world champion and I won’t stop until I am.
“I will be heavyweight world champion. (World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali) Klitschko, (World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John) Ruiz, (International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Chris) Byrd and (World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Lamon) Brewster have something I want.”
“In the past year Samuel has broken away from a host of other young heavyweights and established himself as the new force with which to be reckoned in the division,” said Dino Duva, president of Duva Boxing.
“Just 11 months ago Samuel was a fine prospect, but his past two wins have not only been devastating, but he’s displayed the complete package of tremendous power, relentless aggression, quickness, discipline and defense,” said Duva. “Add to that his size, and Samuel has a combination that no other heavyweight can match.
“He is the man in the heavyweight division and will be for quite a while.”
Said Peter, “I don’t worry about who I’m going to fight next; I leave that up to my manager and promoter. I just know that I have to keep winning to get a world championship. And I will do that.”
Peter, who is 6-foot-2-inches and 250 pounds, is ranked No. 5 by the World Boxing Council, No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization and No. 9 by the International Boxing Federation following a second-round knockout of Jeremy Williams for the NABF championship Dec. 4 in Las Vegas and a fifth-round knockout of Yamplier Azcuy for the USBA title Jan. 22 in Miami, Fla.
Martinez, a southpaw, has a record of 18-8-3 with seven knockouts and has a win over former WBA heavyweight champion Tony Tubbs.
The 10-round semi-main event features welterweight Oscar Diaz of San Antonio against Jessie Feliciano of Las Vegas.
Diaz has a record of 19-1 with 11 knockouts while Feliciano has a mark of 12-3-2 with seven knockouts.
An added attraction features 6-foot-5-inch, 260-pound heavyweight Josh Cobb of Las Vegas, son of former heavyweight championship challenger Randall “Tex” Cobb, in a four-round bout.
Four other bouts, featuring two Las Vegans plus a pair of outstanding prospects from the Duva Boxing stable, complete the card.
Tickets, priced at $45 and $75, are on sale at the third-floor box office at the Plaza Hotel & Casino from 1 to 8 p.m. (Pacific) Tuesday through Saturday and from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Tickets also may be purchased by calling 800-773-0992 or 702-386-2110 during those days and hours or online at www.plazahotelcasino.com
The card April 29 starts at 6 p.m. with doors to the Triple Crown Ballroom, located on the third floor of the Plaza Hotel & Casino, opening at 5:30.
The card is televised by ESPN2.