23.09.05 – By Samm Etuk – Atlantic City, NJ – The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for youth and Sports, Chris Ekong arrived Atlantic City, New Jersey on Monday night from Nigeria to give the Nigerian nightmare, Samuel Peter, home support ahead of the September 24 IBF and WBO eliminators. He was also present on Thursday at the boxer’s weigh in ceremony Thursday with a word from the Nigerian government that they want Peter to get a shot at the World title.
Ekong, held a brief meeting with Peter after the weigh in assured him of his country’s utmost support for Saturday’s IBF and WBO eliminator fight adding that his country men are all eagerly waiting for the fight.
“Everybody will be glued to their TV set watching the fight on cable. The fight is more important to Sam Peter’s fans in Nigeria. They know him as a young boxer, who came from no where to take over the country’s boxing scene by storm. The press in Nigeria is awash with news of the fight and every sports fan is praying for Peter”, explains Ekong, “I’m happy that after talking with him, I’m sure he’s more confidence of wining than me and that’s good for him before he enters the ring on Saturday.”
Peter came to the limelight in 1996, emerging as the Akwa Ibom State heavyweight champion, before he was invited to the national team preparatory to the African Championship where he won the zone three title and got invited to the Olympic camp in 1999.He used to reside in Akwa Ibom , a state located in the eastern region of Nigeria before moving to Las Vegas after the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
“I’m here representing the state government and the Governor,Obong Victor Attah,is hosting Sam later in the year after this fight. We want him to go ahead and challenge for the World Heavyweight title. If he wins the world title, his first defense of the title may be in Nigeria.
“A good representation of Nigerians residing in the USA would turn up for the fight as most of them have bought their ticket already for the fight.” Saturday from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” tries to turn out the lights on the once-promising career of Wladimir Klitschko. Many people feel the hopes of the heavyweight division lie in the heavy hands of Peter, who is still very young, raw and untested in the upper echelon of the division.
Although Sam Peter has beaten the 24 fighters he has faced, winning 21 times by knockout, Taurus Sykes, remains the best opposition Peter has encountered in his short professional boxing career. However, going by records Peter can not stand Wladimir Klitschko, former WBO Heavyweight Champion and a fighter who has thrashed the likes Chris Byrd, IBF present champion, top title contenders Monte Barrett, Ray Mercer , Jameel McCline, among others. Klitschko boast of an impressive resume of a heavyweight champion, whereas Peter brings the hope of a brighter future for boxing into the ring.