Saturday’s (Jan. 6) Showtime Special from the Hard Rock Casino/Resort at Hollywood, Florida played to a crowded hall that saw Nigerian powerhouse Sam Peter besting old school James Toney in the main event, and Travis Simms halting Jose Antonio Rivera in the semi-final.

The Peter-Toney WBC affair, an eliminator to a shot at title holder Oleg Maskaev, carried the hint of a replay of its first encounter - one that had young Peter nipping the wily war horse via split verdict - not the case in the do over.

Opening stanza an explosive beginning - Toney, rocked by a Peter right hand early is seen battling back during the chapter’s closing seconds - and then round two with Peter adjustments entering the picture.

Quickly catching the eye was the introduction of the Peter jab - getting the attention of the media broadcast crew was a second stanza range finder that sat Toney down and embarrassed, in being caught flatfooted - a 10-8 stanza a stretch, but made for good commentary.

It would then be all Peter down to the wire - but with the Toney lights dimming after some 78 kept appointments, and advanced fistic age of 38 - toss in having met the best from middle thru heavyweight, the future Famer would have some moments of his own, as he scored with jabs and sneak right hands that gave a flicker of hope in a spirited affair.

Post Scripts: Sam Peter ( 28-1, 22 KOs) ~ youngest of the big guys bunch, and with the lessons learned from Toney in first outing, the adjustments made in style and technique, coupled with improved pre-fight conditioning, the new "Nigerian Nightmare" could well be the future of the division.
                      James Toney ( 69-6-3, 43 KOs) ~ said at post fight chat he is not a done entity - wants to continue on and is willing to meet anyone out there. On that note, the lights are not as yet out. But are dimmed just enough to choose with care.

                       Referee Jorge Alonso ~ tough assignment for obvious reasons - earns a curtsy for a job well done.

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The WBA Super/welterweight  pairing with defending Jose Antonio Rivera (38-5-1, 24 KOs)  and undefeated challenger Travis Simms (25 with 19 via KO) spawned a cake walk lopsided 9th round TKO for Simms.

Observations: The pre-fight talk was Rivera would carry the action to the inside against a quicker southpaw in Simms - so much for the rap reports.

                          What quickly caught this fan’s weary eyes, was a pawing jab and a  right hand delivered from too safe a distance.

                         Stanza two the Simms stock quickly rose as he would physically manhandle a Rivera that was clearly unable to "get off" - and any sign of confidence went out the window when on the wrong end of a standing eight count.

                       Rivera did show toughness in accepting the pinpoint straight left hands that targeted a nose bleeding round after round, and down to the ugly finish at the 2:00 minute mark of number nine.

                      A good and timely stoppage by referee Frank Santore Jr. after seeing a less than competitive Rivera down from left hand and rocked by a following barrage of head punches.

                     Closing Comments: Travis Simms  ~ no longer a kid, but young body image at a now 35. Had ideal prop in a tentative, blown up in size welter, to set the pace to his liking. The division is pretty much stacked with assorted "names" to choose from. Spinks, Ouma, Karmazin a few afterthoughts.

                                                         Jose Antonio Rivera  ~  should take no more than a peek of last night’s non-performance and the results of it, before deciding on continuing or riding off into the sunset.

                  Referee Frank Santore Jr. ~ talkative, but acceptable night’s work.

GEL -         

1-6-2007