Deerfield Beach, Florida, December 22—The number one contender for the heavyweight championship made 100 kids feel like champions for the Christmas holiday. Samuel Peter is known as the “Nigerian Nightmare,” but he was truly a dream come true for dozens of youngsters yesterday at the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County in Deerfield Beach.
Peter is training in Deerfield for his rematch against James “Lights Out” Toney set for January 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in nearby Hollywood. Peter, Duva Boxing president Dino Duva and Peter’s manager Ivaylo Gotzev wanted to make the holidays special for less fortunate children in the area. There was a buzz at the Boys and Girls Club for the last couple of days because the youngsters were told that one of boxing’s best heavyweights would be stopping by for a visit. And up on the bulletin board were photographs of Peter in action and these words: “Welcome the Nigerian Nightmare”..
But to the children, the 6-1, 240 pound Peter was also the biggest Santa Claus in history, and their ear to ear smiles showed that yes, there is indeed a Santa, and he had landed early in Deerfield Beach. Sam’s smile was just as big. Peter was accompanied by his manager Gotzev, and boxing writer Ron Ross and his wife Susan, who were the elves for the day.
Along with bags full of toys, Peter also shared words of wisdom during a motivational talk.
Peter told the kids: “Work hard, listen to your parents, stay in school, never give up, and you will be champions.”
“Just seeing the faces of these kids when they received the toys was inspiring,” said Ron Ross. “A very special day.
And it will be a very special match when Peter and Toney hook up for the second time. The hottest young heavyweight in the world, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, and one of the craftiest pugilists in history, James “Lights Out” Toney, will meet in a World Boxing Council-ordered re-match on Saturday, Jan. 6, in the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. The main event will be televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and is being promoted by Duva Boxing, Goossen Tutor Promotions, Warriors Boxing Promotions, and Don King Productions.
For photos of Sam’s visit, log onto http://www.ndmimages.com/samuelpeter