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Samuel PeterSamuel Peter is a heavyweight boxer. He was born in Akwaibom, Nigeria on September 6, 1980. Originally, Peter's preferred sport was soccer. In 1992, some boxers came to Peter's school to train. The curious young 11-Year-Old stopped by and asked if he could train along with them. This marked the beginning of a successful amateur career for Peter. Samuel Peter won the Nigerian amateur heavyweight championship and the Africa Zone 3 Heavyweight championship while compiling an amateur record of 19 wins and only 1 loss. He faced stiff competition as an amateur (including a knockout victory over 2000 Silver Medalist Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan). However, he prevailed and was given the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney, Australia Summer Olympics. He lost in the quarterfinals to Italian Paolo Vidoz (the eventual Bronze Medal winner) by decision. However, his performance was noted for being very impressive from such a young pugilist and hence more excitement was generated for him than the eventual Gold Medalist, Audley Harrison (whom he'd lost a very close decision to just a few months before the Olympics). Immediately after the Olympics, Ivaylo Gotzev tracked Peter down and signed on as his manager. They were then able to land a promotional deal with Dino Duva of Duva Boxing. As of February 2005, Peter's professional ring record stands at 22 wins (19 by way of knockout) in 22 outings. Though Peter posted a string of 1st-round knockouts at the beginning of his career, he wasn't able to produce anymore past March 22, 2002. He fought to 2 consecutive decisions against Charles Shufford and Jovo Pudar in 2004, calling his power into question. Many critics asked if Peter could exhibit the one-punch knockout power he had exhibited in his early days against real opposition. Peter obliterated Jeremy Williams on December 4, 2004, knocking him out cold 27 seconds into the second round. Though not known for a granite chin, Williams nevertheless represented tougher opposition for Peter. He then defeated Yanqui Diaz in crushing fashion on January 22, 2005 to cement his reknown as the top young contender to the Heavyweight throne. Many see Peter as the next star of boxing not only for his abilities inside the ring, but the way he conducts himself outside of it as well. He is a devoutly Christian family man who neither drinks nor smokes. He is noted for his cordial approach to interviewers and his reserved and hard-working nature. This has made him a role model with many in the Nigerian community in Las Vegas, where he moved to after the Olympics to train and fight out of. Peter, Samuel Peter, Samuel Peter, Samuel
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