Photo Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime

The September 2 Showtime Special grabbed the brass ring with a dual pairing of James Toney and Sam Peter, the prize for the winner a WBC title shot with Oleg Maskaev - and a co-feature with hot prospect Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero the opponent for defending IBF Feather champ Eric "Mighty Mouse" Aiken.

Show opens with Guerrero-Aiken - stanza one it’s the wiry southpaw Guerrero quickly forcing the action while working on the inside and scoring with both hands - and Aiken seemingly unfazed while taking notes.

And so it went with the one called "The Ghost" dictating the pace and the more seasoned Aiken finding himself playing catch up - and the Guerrero volume body punching would eventually take its toll.

Then stanza eight and Aiken hurt by a sizzling Guerrero barrage of combination punching - the game but outgunned champion made it to the bell where he then opted for the wise choice and retired on his corner stool.

Post Scripts: Guerrero ( 19-1-1, 12 KO) ~ age 23, a tall featherweight that works from the port side - once again displayed the energizer approach. Fan friendly in style with constant combos while working both body and head. Hard to find a kink in the armor - and personal kudos for a flashback to the take no prisoners modus operandi of yesteryear. Still, tough or not, hopefully the "Ghost" is working on game plan B for them other shareholders waiting down the line.
                      Aiken (16-5, 12KO) ~ age 26, young enough to regroup if the desire is there. My first peek at the kid called "Mighty Mouse" so have nothing to compare  outings. Am sure the aggressive Guerrero style had an impact,  Aiken was unable to get off from start to finis.
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Then the main event, Peter and Toney with assorted trinkets up for grabs, along with the WBC top challenger in waiting spot - the biggest surprise here was the hot punch output for both dreadnoughts over 12 action stanzas.

This one had it all - drama, suspense from start to finish - Toney at age 38 and 233 pounds was clearly up to the task - stayed with the game plan and convinced it worked to the letter. Peter walked into the jab and sneak right hands round after round over the first half of the scheduled twelve rounder.

No question it was a beauty in the eyes of the beholder come the scoring - two judges went for the visuals over the numbers on display - with Peter tallying 116-111, 116-111 - apparently both were overly impressed with the power effects in the Peter deliveries. Dissenting tally had it Toney 115-112.

Very entertaining affair with boxer versus puncher - Toney outscored Peter with better skills as he set traps and counters - Peter made lasting impressions with big right hands whether scoring or not, or so it seems by the final tallies. Were there no promised Maskaev title fight in the offing, this one had return scribbled all over it.

Closing Comments: Sam Peter (27-1, 22KO) ~ age 26, big in size and power and good chin. Could well get by a Maskaev who is not the slickster of a Toney and also damaged goods. Beyond that is the big question. Made to order for a counter puncher with decent movement - but will always have the puncher’s chance going for him.

                                  James Toney (69-5-3, 43 KO) ~ age 38 and 233 pounds was no factor - vintage Tony with a balance of offense coupled with deceit  - maybe cost him with the two jurors faked out as much as Peter at times. Toney showed the solid gold chin when needed, along with the "Ol’ Mongoose" copycat to score points in entertaining outing.

                                 Referees of the evening report: Tony Crebs polluting the battle zone with nonstop meaningless chatter. Repeated commands of "box out" when tied up on the inside - dummy hasn’t learned the referee job includes "stop punching, my break" or something similar. Then it’s stanza eight with Aiken hurt and holding, and we get a point deduction for the "infraction." Give this fool a pencil and score sheet .
                                 Raul Caiz Sr. ~ No problems - law of averages caught up to Raul Sr., is usually more intruder than man in charge - let the fighters settle the score on their own. Good outing.

                                Commentators department:  background voice (maybe Bernstein) questioning hack Crebs not penalizing Guerrero for alleged low blows - background check would show Aiken claimed IBF strap on a disqualification for low blow - appeared to be looking for another "DQ"  with dramatics in this one. Crebs managed to get it right. Finally, too many guests talking at ringside while the spirited action was happening in both bouts.

GEL  -