Peter makes short work of Long

Needing only two minutes and 35 seconds, heavyweight hopeful Samuel Peter (26-1, 22 KOs) knocked out seven-footer Julius Long (14-8, 12 KOs) to win the NABF heavyweight championship on Friday night.

Don't feel bad if you didn't see the booming right hand Peter connected with Long's head…Long probably didn't see it either.  Peter dominated the fight right away, sending Long to one knee a minute into the bout.  After a barrage of punches, Long was sent into the ropes, only to stay there for a second before bouncing right into Long's punch, knocking Long just about cold.  The first-round knockout was the seventh of Peter's career, but his first since 2001.

With the win, Peter became the NABF champion, which is sort of like a United States presidential hopeful being voted mayor.  Even though Peter showed up to the fight thirteen more pounds (256) than he was in his last fight, a 2005 loss to Wladimir Klitschko, he didn't look at all flabby.  What happens next for Peter remains to be seen, as all the top heavyweights already have fights lined up. 

Undefeated Calvin Brock was in the ESPN studio with Brian Kenny, helping analyze the night's fights.  When asked about Peter, Brock seemed to run away scared, saying "I don't see myself boxing [Peter] unless I have to."  If a rematch with Klitschko isn't possible, the fans may just want to see Peter go toe-to-toe with Brock.

Fight Preview: Freitas-Raheem

April 29, 2006: Acelino Freitas (37-1, 32 KOs) vs. Zahir Raheem (27-1, 16 KOs) for vacant WBO lightweight title, 12 rounds, lightweights.  At the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (HBO)

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Match-ups play a huge role in boxing, not only for the boxers themselves, but for promoters and fans.  Similar styles can lead to a boring fight, as can difficult contrasting styles.  Freitas and Raheem bring contrasting styles into the ring on Saturday, but it's an exciting match-up that either fighter can win.

Freitas, as evident by his 32 knockouts in 38 bouts, is a powerful lightweight who has the punch to end fights early.  Raheem, on the other hand, has half as many KOs — albeit in ten less fights — and relies on his tremendous speed and nearly flawless skill.

Freitas suffered his one and only loss in 2004 when he was knocked down three times against Diego Corrales, losing the WBO lightweight title.  "Popo" has won his last two fights since then, but they have been against weak opponents in his home of Brazil.  A win for Freitas could set up a rematch against Corrales — who puts his WBC lightweight belt on the line against Jose Luis Castillo on June 3 — or a much anticipated fight against 22 year-old Juan Diaz (29-0).

Raheem is coming off the biggest victory of his career, a 12-round unanimous decision over Erik Morales (September 10, 2005.)  Raheem is a great tactical boxer and he'll be looking to prove his upset over Morales wasn't a fluke.

Which Freitas steps into the ring will ultimately decide who wins.  While "the Brazilian Bomber" is bigger and stronger, he's been prone to knockdowns in his career when he leaves his guard down.  He'll need to use his underrated hand speed to set up Raheem for a big punch.  On the other hand, Raheem will need to finesse his way to a win and use the ring to his advantage.

I think Raheem is entering the fight confident and Freitas will overlook Raheem and be thinking about a Corrales rematch.  Raheem will smartly stay away from Freitas' power and prove he's a contender in the division.

Prediciton: Raheem by unanimous decision.

Fight Preview: Calderon-Tellez

April 29, 2006: WBO strawweight champion Ivan Calderon (25-0, 5 KOs) vs. Miguel Tellez (17-5, 6 KOs), 12 rounds, strawweights.  At Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. (DirecTV PPV)

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I'm not usually one to watch fights that are lighter than featherweights, but every once in a while I'll watch a dominating boxer, no matter his division.  Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon is one such boxer.  Calderon is so good that amateurs — regardless of weight — should watch his fights to learn how to perfectly box.  Calderon takes his undefeated record into a ninth title defense against the Nicaraguan Tellez.  Calderon will out box Tellez and should take at least 10 rounds in his favor when all is said and done.

Predicition: Calderon by unanimous decision.

Fight Preview: Peterson-Ramos, Peterson-White

April 28, 2006: Lamont Peterson (16-0, 7 KOs) vs. Mario Jose Ramos (16-2-1, 3 KOs), 10 rounds, junior welterweights; Anthony Peterson (16-0, 12 KOs) vs. Jermaine White (13-0, 6 KOs), 8 rounds, junior welterweights.  At the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town, North Dakota. (Showtime)

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The up-and-coming Peterson brothers bring both of their undefeated records into the ring on Friday on Showtime's ShoBox: The New Generation.  While both will face their toughest opponents to date inside the ring, it should be fairly easy in relation to their upbringing.  The brothers lived on the street from the ages of 8 to 10 (Lamont is 14 months older than Anthony) and spent most of their youth lives in poverty.

The Petersons have an impressive fanbase, considering how early they are in their careers.  Both made it to the 2004 United States Olympic trials finals before both losing to the eventual representative for their respective divisions.  Lamont even vacated his spot in the 132 pound division and move up to 141 pounds in order to free up a spot for Anthony.

Lamont, 22, faces southpaw Ramos, who didn't fight from October 2002 to July 2005, is 4-1 since returning, with the loss coming in his last fight in March.  This bout is huge for both fighters; a win would give Peterson his most impressive to date while a victory for Ramos get his career back on track.  Ramos lacks the power to knock out Peterson, so look for Peterson to wear down Ramos by constantly attacking the body.  Both boxers have yet to be knocked out, so this fight going the distance is very likely.

Prediction: L. Peterson by unanimous decision.

By most accounts, Anthony is the lesser talented of the two brothers.  That said, Anthony has a big left hook and is more likely to win by knockout than Lamont.  In his last fight, on March 11, Anthony knocked out Steven Verdin in the third round.  Jermaine White, also undefeated, steps into the ring for the first time in 2006.  White is known for his tremendous speed and solid mechanics and could present a tough matchup for Peterson.  Peterson would be best served not to stand toe-to-toe with White and allow White to score with quick jabs.  Peterson ought to try to move around and set up his left hook with some straight right hands into the defense of White.

Prediction: A. Peterson by KO in Round 6.

Fight Preview: Peter-Long

April 28, 2006: Samuel Peter (25-1, 21 KOs) vs. Julius Long (14-7, 12 KOs), 10 rounds, heavyweights.  At the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Connecticut. (ESPN2)

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Samuel Peter comes into the Friday night fight with much to prove. Despite winning impressively in his last bout in December, his one and only loss still hangs over his head. The "Nigerian Nightmare" faced off against Wladimir Klitschko on September 24, 2005, in an elimination match for the IBF and WBO heavyweight titles. Although he knocked Klitschko down three times in the fight, Klitschko ultimately dominated the rest of the fight and took home the decision.

Although he is without a belt, Peter's stock is still high in the muddled heavyweight division, as he is well-regarded as the hardest punching boxer in the division. He may need all the power he can when he faces 7-footer Julius Long.

Long has neither an impressive record nor much skill, but his size and reach (90") makes him an entertaining opponent, especially against a slugger like Peter. Long may get lucky and be able to land a punch that catches Peter by surprise, but with so much riding on this fight, expect Peter to give an outstanding performance and get closer to another future title fight.

Prediction: Peter by TKO in Round 5.

Fair-weather Mayweather?

Floyd Mayweather Jr., #1 in Blog and Weave's Pound-for-Pound Rankings, announced that he would buy out his contract with promoter Bob Arum and become a "free agent."

The announcement comes on the heels of Mayweather Jr. rejecting an opportunity to fight welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito (WBO) for a career-high purse of $8 million. The fight was to be scheduled for August 12 on HBO Pay-Per-View, but according to Arum, Mayweather told him that "he decided not to fight this summer."

Word out of Mayweather's camp is that he's not avoiding the fight, but that he wouldn't be ready for it after injuring his right hand against Zab Judah on April 8. While Mayweather does not have a future fight lined up, he may quickly try to schedule a bout against Oscar De La Hoya should De La Hoya defeat Ricardo Mayorga on May 6.

Arum has already scheduled a fight for August 12, a title fight between heavyweights Hasim Rahman (WBC) and Oleg Maskaev.

Standing Eight Count, April 24

Every Monday here at Blog and Weave will be a column called 'Standing Eight Count,' in which eight topics — a majority of them being boxing related — will be discussed. It's a chance to talk about and link to other boxing websites and blogs, dispense minor boxing news, etc. So without further ado, here is the first 'Standing Eight Count' column…

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Some criticized Jermain Taylor last week when he suddenly announced that he was switching trainers only a few months before one of the biggest fights of his career, a June 17 title defense against Winky Wright. I think it is a brilliant move, given that the new trainer is Emanuel Steward, who I believe is hands down the best trainer in the business, if not ever. Look no further than Saturday’s heavyweight fight – a fight in which Wladimir Klitschko looked poised and confident — to see how good Steward is.What I liked about Taylor’s decision is that he didn’t blow up his entire corner. Instead, Pat Burns, Taylor’s head trainer since 2001, will still be in the corner and Steward will simply be “co-trainer.” Winky Wright is a very technically savvy boxer, both on offense and defense, so Taylor may need all the help Steward can dispense.

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I love boxing for its raw power, speed and movement, but I can’t deny I also love the trash talking that goes on in the sport. The De La Hoya-Mayorga fight in two weeks promises to be an exciting one in the ring, but outside, it is already becoming rather entertaining.Ricardo Mayorga, the WBC junior middleweight champ, was not shy among the media during a recent workout. He claimed that Oscar De La Hoya was “going to pay for the mistake of accepting this fight” and even played with a chicken inside the ring, comparing it to his opponent. Of course De La Hoya had to fire back, telling reporters at his own workout “If Ricardo Mayorga has been training with chickens, then he is in big trouble because this fight is no joke.”

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An exciting fight has been scheduled for June 3 between IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan and Luis Maldonado. The fight will be on Showtime before the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo fight. Darchinyan (25-0, 20 KOs) is quickly climbing the pound-for-pound rankings and an impressive win could really elevate his star power. Maldonado (30-0-1, 25 KOs) also brings a perfect record to the fight and is the IBF #8 contender. It should be a great fight on a terrific night of televised boxing.

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Kostya Tszyu’s name came up recently – a friend and I were talking about Miguel Cotto and the junior welterweight division – and I’ve still yet to hear any future plans for Tszyu since his loss to Ricky Hatton. He has hinted about retiring but uber-boxing writer/blogger Michael Woods heard that the IBF wanted Tszyu to contend again for the junior welterweight title.

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HBO has announced that they are adding Fran Charles and Max Kellerman as well as Lennox Lewis as an on-air team for Boxing After Dark. They will debut this upcoming Saturday.

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Speaking of commentators, be sure to read this brilliant penned piece by Eric Rineer. I agree with just about everything he says, but I still wouldn’t go as far as pushing the mute button.

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Another article worth reading is by Thomas Hauser about ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael. Rafael’s work at ESPN.com is nothing short of amazing. Not only is it good and informative, but he constantly churns out solid work, whether it’s an article, a chat wrap, or his weekly notebook.

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WBO featherweight champ Scott Harrison was arrested on Saturday in a Glasgow bar with “offenses relating to breach of the peace” or whatever that means. Memo to all your boxers out there who get into fights in bars: if you throw a punch, most of the time the court will consider your hands “deadly weapons” and you just might get handed down some serious jail time. Harrison defends his title next month against Martin Honorio.

Steel Hammer Time

In rather impressive fashion, Wladimir Klitschko (46-4, 41 KOs) won the IBF heavyweight title from Chris Byrd (39-3-1, 20 KOs) with a seventh-round knockout at the SAP Arena in Manheim, Germany.

As expected, Klitschko used his left jab to keep the smaller Byrd at bay, never giving the southpaw a chance to get inside and throw combinations. Klitschko used his right hand more than the usually does and it was with two of them that sent Byrd to the canvas, once in the fifth round and again in the seventh.

Klitschko, under the training of Emanuel Steward, looks like a more polished boxer, but questions of a suspect chin will always remain. Even with tonight’s win, he faced a non-punching boxer in Byrd and when the fight was over, Klitschko’s face looked the same leaving the ring as it did entering. This fight, if anything, establishes Klitschko as a legitimate heavyweight champion, especially in the muddled heavyweight climate of today. The new IBF heavyweight champion wants to unify the belts, but he may have to wait for a some time at the opportunity. A bout with Hasim Rahman (WBC heavyweight champion) makes the most sense, but Rahman already has a scheduled fight with Oleg Maskaev. Perhaps the winner of Brock vs. Ibragimov (June 24) will be the next opponent for Klitschko.

As for Byrd, it was difficult match-up and a poor showing. At 35 years old, no belt and armed with a style that doesn’t have opponents lined up to face, the end is quite near for Byrd. Deeply religious and a family man, I believe Byrd will soon retire and close out a good amateur and professional career.

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Round-by-Round Review

ROUND ONE

Neither boxer landed solid punches. Both danced around the ring, swatting at each other’s gloves, trying to feel each other out. Byrd spent the entre round on the outside, a tactic that would just not work against Klitschko. SCORE: 10-10

ROUND TWO

Klitschko lands a right hand, the first one he’s thrown. Whenever Byrd tries to work inside, Klitschko extends his left arm and keeps Byrd away. When Byrd does slip in, Klitschko ties up Byrd. Klitschko lands four good right hands. SCORE: 10-9, Klitschko (20-19, Klitschko)

ROUND THREE

Klitschko is doing a lot of holding, similar to his fight with Samuel Peter, but it’s clean and tactical clinching. Klitschko connects with three quick rights and a few left-right combos, causing Byrd’s right eye to begin to swell. SCORE: 10-9, Klitschko (30-28, Klitschko)

ROUND FOUR

Between Rounds Three and Four, Emanuel Steward reminds Klitschko “Whenever [Byrd] gets close, grab him.” Byrd remains on the outside, looking to land his first power punch of the fight. In the middle of the round, Bryd walks into a Klitschko right hand. SCORE: 10-9, Klitschko (40-37, Klitschko)

ROUND FIVE

Klitschko knocks down Byrd with a right hand to the chin. Byrd gets up near the corner and appears okay, but Klitschko goes right after Byrd and corners him on the ropes and begins slugging away, mixing right hands with left hooks. Byrd took a beating but remained strong, similar to Lamon Brewster’s fight with Klitschko. SCORE: 10-8, Klitschko (50-45, Klitschko)

ROUND SIX

Klitschko looks good, landing his left jab and keeping Byrd frustrated and on the outside. SCORE: 10-9, Klitschko (60-54, Klitschko)

ROUND SEVEN

Under a minute into the round, after a flurry of punches, Klitschko sends Byrd again to the canvas with a right hook. Byrd pops right up but blood is gushing from his eye. Referee Wayne Kelly stops the fight at :41.

Wladimir Klitschko by seventh-round knockout.

Fight Preview: Byrd-Klitschko II

April 22, 2006: IBF champion Chris Byrd (39-2-1, 20 KOs) vs. Wladimir Klitschko (45-3, 40 KOs), 12 rounds, heavyweights. At the SAP Arena in Manheim, Germany. (HBO)

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Has it really been six years since Wladimir Klitschko won by decision over Chris Byrd? It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but we might be quickly reminded how time flies when the 35-year old Byrd steps into the ring.

On paper, it's an interesting match-up (again), with both fighters having contrasting styles and builds. Klitschko has six inches in height, seven in reach and thirty pounds on the smaller Byrd. Byrd, a southpaw, has the speed and craftiness that Klitschko lacks, but he is also without a power punch.

Both fighters come into this fight with some lackluster showings in recent bouts. In two title defense fights, Byrd won by draw against Andrew Golota and split decision over Jameel McCline, and both decisions could have gone the other way. Seven months ago, Klitschko faced Samuel Peter and was knocked down three times (only one being a legit knock-down) and was constantly clinching Peter. While Wladimir earned a unanimous-decision victory, it was not one of his more shining moments.

All signs point to an easy Klitschko win, similar to the first fight between the two. Byrd doesn't have the power or the reach to get to Klitschko's suspect chin. While Byrd tries to figure out how beat Klitschko (get inside and throw combinations), Wladimir will land his great jab, scoring well and taking most of the rounds, if not sending Byrd to the canvas late in the fight.

Byrd is definitely not a finisher, so a KO is out of the realm of possibility. What makes it even tougher for Byrd is the fight is basically in Klitschko's backyard. All signs point to a dominating performance by Klitschko, and there's no doubt he takes this fight and the IBF belt.

Prediction: Klitschko by unanimous decision.