Peter knocks out Julius “didn’t last too” Long

28.04.06 – By Mike Indri – Retired Boxers Foundation – UNCASVILLE, CT. – Heavyweight contender Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter made quick work of his overmatched opponent Julius Long, dropping the seven foot Michigan fighter twice en route to a first round knockout win. Peter realized quickly that it would be an easy (and short) night, sending Long, now 14-8 (12 KO’s), to his knees with the first right hand he landed. Long, more shaken than hurt, began back peddling and looking to hold on.. Showcasing his power as the main event on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Peter impressed the television audience and the 3,226 fight fans on hand by driving the petrified Long to the canvas for good with a bone-crushing right hand to the back of the head. Referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. found no reason to count and waved off the one-sided contest at 2:35 of round one.

Peter improved to 26-1, with Long being his 22nd knockout victim. While Peter’s promoter Dino Duva had reason to smile as he watched his dangerous fighter hoist up his new NABF Heavyweight Championship belt, Duva senses there are bigger and better days ahead for the young and strong heavyweight hopeful, confidently stating, “He’s (Peter) the best heavyweight in the world and Samuel is only getting better”.

Heavyweight prospect Mike Marrone jumped on his overwhelmed opponent, Dan Wetzel (7-6-1, 4 KO’s), from the fight’s opening bell. Smothering the bewildered Toledo, Ohio native with sharp punches from both hands, Marrone bore into Whetzel, drove him back onto the ropes and constantly fired away. Stunned and unable to protect himself from the Vero Beach, Florida buzz saw, referee John Callas jumped in and stopped the bout at the one minute mark of the first round. Marrone stayed perfect at 14-0 (11 KO’s) and made his trainer and mentor, the legendary Lou Duva, extremely proud.

The lone benefit of the two quick knockouts was that the television audience was able to view the six round super middleweight fight between Philadelphia’s Lajuan Simon and Darnell Boone, from Youngstown, Ohio.

While Boone jumped out quickly, Simon proved he was a solid fighter, never taking a backward step and constantly stalking his foe. The bout was filled with action as both combatants had their moments. While Simon appeared to have had the upper hand, no one in the crowd had a problem with the judge’s call of a draw. The slick fighting Boone’s record now sits at 10-5-2 (4 KO’s), while Simon remains undefeated, 13-0-2 (10KO’s).

Heavy-handed Brian Minto clubbed his way to a unanimous decision victory over a gutsy Billy Zumbrun in an entertaining eight round battle of heavyweights. Minto improved to 24-1 (14 KO’s) and came on strong over the last half of the fight. Using his strong jab and sledgehammer-like power shots, Minto, fighting out of Butler, Pa., staggered Zumbrun late in round seven, and landed several bombs until the bell saved the hurt fighter. The game Zumbrun had nothing left in the eighth round, except heart, which allowed the Ogden, Utah native (19-7-1-1NC, 11KO’s) to endure a ton of punishment and somehow survive Minto’s onslaught for the final three minutes. A good, crowd pleasing fight for the initial televised bout on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

The only non-televised bout on the Mohegan Sun – ESPN Friday Night Fights fightcard saw Philadelphia’s Kevin Carmody (now 6-6-1) open the show in surprising fashion, earning a six round majority decision win against Newark’s Carlos Vinson, who fell to 5-2 (1 KO). Two of the judge’s saw the bout in favor of Carmody (58-56 and 59-55), while the third scored the lightweight bout even at 57-57.

The Mohegan Sun proved to be an excellent venue, and while the night of boxing could have been much better served with more evenly matched fights, the magnificent resort and casino, with its beautiful surroundings and all it has to offer, is reason enough for most to definitely return.