Boxing: this weekend's heavyweight bout.

[H2O Man]

On Saturday night, Showtime features a heavyweight bout that is of interest to boxing fans. It will be on PPV for those who do not subscribe to Showtime.

Two young heavyweights meet in what may be the most interesting bout between "big men" this year. Undefeated Samuel Peters takes on once-beaten Taurus Sykes. I think that Peters in 18 months away from becoming the heavyweight champion. He will potentially rule the division for a five or six year reign.

However, Sykes is a worthy opponent. He is hoping to exploit the "rough edges" that Peters still has, in large part because Peters hits so hard that he knocks true competition out quickly. Sykes is hoping to extend Peters into the middle rounds.

The heavyweight division is a year away from becoming exciting again. Right now, the top contender are older, and generally less talented, than needed to attract the average sports fan. There are a number of good contenders moving up the ranks. If the heavyweights become competitive again, though perhaps not at the same level that the lighter weights are, boxing will enjoy a high level of popularity.

Have any of you seen Peters? I've watched him a number of times. His knock-out of Jeremy Williams showed he is a force to be reckoned with. What do you think?

[H2O Man]

1. Please slow down!

Obviously, I'm not the only DUer fascinated in the career prospects of young heavyweight contender Samuel Peters. But I can't read all these responses when they come in so quickly! Let's stand in single file, and go one at a time!

[dr.zoidberg]

2. I'm not Peter's biggest fan.

I have seen Peter fight both on HBO and on ESPN 2 and his KOs were very impressive. However, I have noticed that he seems to rely on the "big punch" and on him intimidating his opponents. It remains to be seen how Peter will handle someone who is not scared of him and can take his punch or not allow themselves to get hit by him.

Dude, it's a crime that you haven't mentioned Calvin Brock. I became interested in Brock when he beat Jameel McCline. In the 7th round of that fight, McCline knocked Brock down. Brock then proceeded to get back up and kick McCline's ass for the rest of the round. That's the main reason that I like Brock.

[H2O Man]

3. Heck of a fight!

Brock vs McCline was the best fight on that card. I had a dozen people here, and we were on on our seats' edges watching that! And McCline fought one of his best fights, too. He did well.

I have a feeling that in a year, you and I are going to be placing bets on a Brock vs Peters fight. And there is always a question about a big puncher who intimidates being carried into the later rounds. Not just Foreman vs Ali. Even guys like Mac Foster and Ron Lyle, both who were mighty impressive men, were exposed by Jerry Quarry in the 1970s.

There are a half-dozen good young heavyweights who will make the division exciting again, very soon. Also, I watched Shannon Briggs at ringside a couple weeks ago; he's older, but he is still capable of being a serious force in the division for several years. Did you see his match?

[dr.zoidberg]

4. Yup.

The thing about Briggs is that he is the greatest example of someone with all the tools, yet being unable to put them together. I guess you could say he was an underachiever.

On the subject of young heavyweights, I've been hearing good things about English fighter Matt Skelton. I believe he's got Danny Williams next. There is a wild card out in there. His name is Nicolai
Valuev. He is listed at 7'0". All I really know about him is that he has a 41-0 record, however he has not really fought anyone of note except for Clifford Etienne. Who knows what he can do?

Also, Brock said on Friday Night Fights that he is planning on fighting on the ESPN PPV in the fall.

[H2O Man]

5. I wanted my younger son to see Briggs.

Shannon had (and still has) everything but self-confidence. When he comes into the ring, he often had "spent" most of his energy. He started out with one good round before he became tired, and began to panic. Teddy Atlas had tried to deal with that, but he grew impatient with Briggs. Foreman tried to help him, too.

Right now, he could beat any heavyweight fighting. "Could" does not mean "would," of course. But the tools are there. I think he should be training in a rural setting, with a person who can help him deal with the self-doubt.

[H2O Man]

6. Boxing fans

were provided with a heck of a show last night. Peters won by 2nd round knockout. The ref waived it off afterreaching the count of 5, when it was obvious Sykes was not getting up, but was not clear if he needed emergency medical attention. Luckily, he was okay.

Peters will be heavyweight champion within two fights. No one will stand up to him. This 248-pound Nigerian has everything it takes to make the heavyweight division very exciting again. And yes, there are others with solid skills who present serious challenges to him -- he has some flaws that could potentially be exloited by a stylist. But he has the brute strength and overwhelming power of a Charles "Sonny" Liston or a young George Foreman ... and we know that it takes a hell of a man to stand up to them.

[dr.zoidberg]

7. Hmm...

I wonder how he would handle John Ruiz's jab-and-grab style? I have also heard that he is calling out Vitali. Of course, Vitali will probably duck Peter as he is already ducking Hasim Rahman. As I said before, I'm not Peter's biggest fan. After some thought, I think he is the next David Tua.

[H2O Man]

8. Vitali is planning

to defend against the #23 contender.

Peters is one of Vitali's sparring partners. As it looks like the back surgery will end his career, I don't think he'll be in Peters' way.

Peters did call out Ruiz last night, in a funny way. John averages 20 punches a round, and he couldn't beat James Toney. If Roy Jones punched too hard for John, I suspect Peters does, too.

Tua was a good fighter, but had physical and mental limitations. It is obvious that Peters doesn't have the physical limitation that Tua had. (Tua, by the way, was supposed to be fighting in Verona last month. When he backed out, Briggs substituted.) Tua, of course, took Ruiz out with ease.

[dr.zoidberg]

9. That back surgery must not have been too bad.

Vitali is fighting Oleg Maskaev on Sept. This is ridiculous to me. It just seems to me that Vitali wants no part of the Rahman/Barret winner.

BTW, Peter really need to stop throwing those rabbit punches. He could seriously hurt someone by doing that. Also, I can't believe that he blew off any concerns about his defense(or lack thereof).

[H2O Man]

10. Most athletes do not

come back well after surgery. Back surgery is difficult. (I am not objective here.) If Rahman was mentally prepared, I don't think the back surgery would be an issue anyhow. Styles make fights, and Rahman has the style to beat VK.

Rabbit punches! I guess so! The ref did not control the fight. He should not have warned Sykes for tying up. It was clear who the ref favored. Allowing several very hard rabbit punches is risky to the opponent's health. He shouldn't ref large men, because he can't physically control them.

I also agree about the lack of defense. Throwing a jab and bringing your hand back low is dangerous. No trainer should overlook this most basic skill.