Editing Samuel Peter (section)

=== Rising through rankings ===
==== Peter vs. Shufford, Pudar ====

After scoring two back-to-back stoppage wins against Chris Isaac and Jose Arimatea da Silva, with the former being the first time Peter went past fifth round, Peter had 18 wins in his professional record, for which he needed 41 rounds.<ref name=peter-mx/> He then took a big step up in competition when he faced former [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] world heavyweight title challenger [[Charles Shufford]] on May 17, 2004. This was the first time Peter was in the main event of a card. Both Peter and his manager Ivaylo Gotzev praised Shufford for accepting the fight in contrast to other heavyweights that turned down the offer, as Peter already gained a reputation of a powerful and aggressive fighter.<ref name=peter-shufford-compliment>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/101036|title=Samuel Peter Congratulates Shufford!|website=boxing247.com|date=May 6, 2004 |access-date=August 5, 2023}}</ref> The event was the third installment of ''Heavyweight Heroes: the Search for the Next Great Heavyweight'', a monthly [[pay-per-view|PPV]] boxing series created by [[Cedric Kushner]] Promotions and broadcast on [[In Demand]] for $19.95.<ref name=peter-shufford-in-demand>{{Cite web|url=https://boxing247.com/weblog/archives/101037|title=Samuel Peter-Charles Shufford On May 17|website=boxing247.com|date=May 6, 2004 |access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> Shufford had a record of 20–5, 9 KOs coming into the bout and was 3–3 in his last six fights. Peter won the bout by unanimous decision, going ten rounds for the first time in his career. Three judges scored the bout 99–91, 98–92 and 97–93.<ref name=peter-shufford-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/391785/771307|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs. Charles Shufford|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> According to [[CompuBox]], Peter landed more total and power punches than Shufford in every round; overall, Peter threw 569 shots (32.2% accuracy), with 277 of them being power punches (46.2% accuracy).<ref name=peter-shufford-compubox>{{Cite web|url=http://beta.compuboxdata.com/fighter|title=CompuBox: Samuel Peter vs. Charles Shufford|website=beta.compuboxdata.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>

Three months later, Peter faced Serbian heavyweight Jovo Pudar on 5 August 2004 at [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood|Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino]] in Hollywood, Florida. 33-year old Jovo Pudar had a record of 22–2 (12 KOs) coming into the bout and had never been stopped in his professional boxing career. He was 5–1 in his last six fights, with the only loss coming at the hands of [[Taurus Sykes]].<ref name=peter-pudar-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/389910/766313|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs. Jovo Pudar|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name=pudar-record>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/18197|title=Professional boxing record: Jovo Pudar|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> The fight was televised by [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] as part of the ''[[Showtime Championship Boxing|ShoBox: The New Generation]]'' boxing program.<ref name=pudar-peter>{{Cite web|url=https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2004/jul/25/gatti-should-consider-a-new-name/|title=Gatti should consider a new name|website=recordcourier.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> In the build-up to the fight, Ivaylo Gotzev claimed that this fight would finally establish Peter as "the next true heavyweight king in the minds of boxing fans": "enough about [[Dominick Guinn]] and [[Joe Mesi]] and all the rest of them; tune in August 5. I guarantee Samuel Peter will be explosive!" He also expressed his interest in Lawrence Clay-Bey, who was coming off of a fifth-round TKO win over former [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] world cruiserweight champion [[Imamu Mayfield]], as Peter's next opponent.<ref name=pudar-peter-build-up/>

Although Peter was unable to stop Pudar, he bloodied his nose, eventually winning a unanimous decision. Three judges scored the bout 100–90 (twice) and 98–92.<ref name=peter-pudar-bout/> According to CompuBox, there were 1,281 punches thrown between two fighters. Peter connected on 239 shots out of 690, while Pudar landed 162 punches out of 591. Peter outlanded his opponent in each round but third and ninth (even) and connected on more power shots in all of the ten rounds.<ref name="peter-shufford-compubox"/>

==== Peter vs. Williams, Diaz ====

To conclude 2004, Peter agreed to face former WBO world heavyweight title challenger [[Jeremy Williams (boxer)|Jeremy Williams]] (41–4–1, 35 KOs) on December 4, 2004, at [[Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino]] in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. With a record of 6–0–1, 4 KOs in his last seven fights, Williams was seen to had put his losses to [[Henry Akinwande]] and [[Brian Nielsen (boxer)|Brian Nielsen]] behind him, scoring back-to-back upset victories against rising prospects [[Andre Purlette]] (35–1, 32 KOs) and [[Attila Levin]] (29–1, 23 KOs)<ref name=williams-purlette-levin>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/heavyweight-trio-headline-in-salt-lake-city_sto1250145/story.shtml|title=Heavyweight Trio Headline in Salt Lake City|website=eurosport.com|access-date=August 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name=williams-peter-levin>{{Cite web|url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/articles-of-2004/1371-jeff-lacy-omar-sheika-sam-peter-and-jeremy-williams-discuss-fights|title=Jeff Lacy, Omar Sheika, Sam Peter and Jeremy Williams Discuss Fights|website=tss.ib.tv|date=November 23, 2004 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> and drawing against former IBF world cruiserweight champion [[Al Cole]].<ref name=williams-purlette-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/312975/587599|title=Bout: Jeremy Williams vs Andre Purlette|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=williams-levin-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/371361/723284|title=Bout: Jeremy Williams vs Attila Levin|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=williams-record>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/4763|title=Professional boxing record: Jeremy Williams|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peter-williams-mo>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/samuel-peter-ko-jeremy-williams-when-the-nigerian-really-was-a-nightmare/165727|title=Samuel Peter KO Jeremy Williams: When The Nigerian Really Was A "Nightmare!"|website=boxing247.com|date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> The bout took place on the undercard of [[Jose Luis Castillo]] vs. [[Joel Casamayor]] and was aired on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref name=perer-williams-event>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/420206|title=Event: Jeremy Williams vs Samuel Peter|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>

Both boxers started the fight aggressively. After back-and-forth trading in the opening seconds, Williams retreated onto the outside, at first attempting to bob-and-weave but then changing his tactics to circling around Peter and working behind the jab after the bob-and-weave strategy didn't work. Meanwhile, Peter was stalking his opponent across the ring, fighting his way inside and putting heavy pressure on Williams' body whenever Williams was at mid-range. With 20 seconds into the second round, Peter threw a one-two combination; as Williams ducked under Peter's right hand, Peter turned around and landed a left hook while Williams was square-footed and moving out of the mid-range. Williams was out cold for several minutes.<ref name=peter-williams-l>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhif0EF4MKY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Xhif0EF4MKY| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Brutal Heavyweight Knockout! Samuel Peter VS Jeremy Williams Full Fight|website=[[YouTube]] |date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Peter was declared the winner by second-round knockout, winning the vacant [[World Boxing Council|WBC]]-[[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] heavyweight title. The win was nominated for the Knockout of the Year by [[ESPN]].<ref name=peter-ko-of-the-year>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=1958280|title=Boxing's best of 2004|website=espn.com|date=January 3, 2005|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> By December 2004, Peter was ranked No.9 contender by the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]].<ref name=peter-wbc-dec-2004>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/wbc-ratings-december--517|title=WBC Ratings For December|website=boxingscene.com|date=January 11, 2005|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>

On January 22, 2005, Peter faced Cuban heavyweight [[Yanqui Díaz]], who had a record 13–1, 8 KOs coming into the bout. This was the second time Peter was scheduled to fight in a twelve-round bout. Díaz was a highly regarded prospect due to his long and decorated amateur career, with boxing manager Wes Wolfe predicting he would become "a superstar among the Cubans".<ref name=yanqui-diaz>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/feb/05/columnist-dean-juipe-yanko-diaz-on-the-road-to-bec/|title=Columnist Dean Juipe: Yanko Diaz on the road to becoming Cuban superstar|website=lasvegassun.com|date=February 5, 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref> After an unexpected loss against [[Tony Thompson (boxer)|Tony Thompson]], Díaz went on a 5-fight winning streak, which included an upset first-round TKO against undefeated former long-reigning [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] world cruiserweight champion [[Juan Carlos Gomez]] and a split-decision victory over [[Vaughn Bean]]. He was ranked No.13 contender by the WBO by January 2005.<ref name=wbo-rankings-jan-2005>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wboboxing.com/rankings|title=World Boxing Organization Ranking January 2005|website=wboboxing.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> The bout took place on the undercard of [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]] vs. [[Henry Bruseles]] and was aired on [[HBO]].<ref name=peter-diaz-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/148762|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs. Yanqui Diaz|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peter-diaz-buildup>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/yanqui-diaz-on-come-up--532|title=Yanqui Diaz on the Come Up|website=boxingscene.com|date=January 14, 2005 |access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>

The fight saw Peter patiently stalking Díaz across the ring and finding his way inside while Díaz tried to stay on the outside, fight behind the jab and circle around his heavier opponent. In the first round, Peter sent Díaz down with a right hand. He did it again in the second but was deducted two points for intentionally hitting Díaz while he was down. In the fourth round, Peter pinned Díaz against the ropes and eventually knocked him down. Díaz got up but was sent to the canvas with a left hook to the body. Peter dropped Díaz for the fifth time in the following round, which prompted Díaz's corner to throw in the towel.<ref name=peter-diaz-coverage>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saddoboxing.com/607-round-by-round-peter-diaz.html|title=Round by Round: Samuel Peter vs. Yanqui Diaz|website=saddoboxing.com|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> By defeating Díaz, Peter won the vacant [[IBF]]-USBA heavyweight title. By April 2005, Peter was ranked No.5 contender by the WBC, No.6 by the WBO and No.9 by the IBF.<ref name=peter-martinez>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/104023|title=Josh Cobb Added To April 29 ESPN2 Show|website=boxing247.com|date=April 18, 2005 |access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref>

On April 29, 2005, he defeated a journeyman Gilbert Martinez (18–8–3, 7 KOs) by third-round TKO in a stay busy fight televised by ESPN2 as part of the ''[[Friday Night Fights]]'' series. By June, Peter was ranked No.9 heavyweight contender by ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]''. He was also ranked No.4 by the WBC and No.5 by both the IBF and WBO.<ref name=peter-sykes-buildup>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nnbw.com/news/2005/jun/29/heavyweights-returning-to-reno/|title=Heavyweights returning to Reno|website=nnbw.com|access-date=October 20, 2021}}</ref> Having a record of 23–0, 20 KOs, Peter was predicted to have a bright future in the heavyweight division, with media often comparing him to [[Mike Tyson]] due to his build and punching power.<ref name=peter-wlad-retro>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/when-wladimir-and-the-next-tyson-saved-the-heavyweight-division|title=When Wladimir Klitschko And 'The Next Tyson' Saved The Heavyweight Division|website=thesportsman.com|date=September 6, 2021 |access-date=October 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peter-rummy>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/104603|title=Passing Of The Torch: From Tyson To Peter? Exclusive Interview With Samuel Peter|website=boxing247.com|date=June 15, 2005 |access-date=October 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peter-espn-prospect>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2047607|title=Peter on the rise among heavyweights|website=espn.com|date=April 27, 2005 |access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> When interviewed by ESPN in 2005, Mike Tyson picked Peter and [[Calvin Brock]] as his favorite fighters from the new crop of heavyweights.<ref name=tyson-interview-espn>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2082909|title=Reviewing his career, Tyson tackles 20 topics|website=espn.com|date=June 11, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>

==== Peter vs. Sykes ====
On March 16, after a victory over another Nigerian heavyweight contender [[Friday Ahunanya]],<ref name=sykes-ahunanya>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/us-news/2005/sykes-wins-title-lopez._sto696576/story.shtml|title=Sykes Wins Title/Lopez...|website=eurosport.com|access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> [[World Boxing Association|WBA]]-[[North American Boxing Association|NABA]] heavyweight champion [[Taurus Sykes]] (23–1–1, 6 KOs) called out Peter and another heavyweight prospect [[Dominick Guinn]] and accused both of them of ducking a fight with him.<ref name=sykes-callout>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/103765|title=Taurus Sykes Challenges Guinn And Peter|website=boxing247.com|date=March 16, 2005 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> Eventually the bout with Peter was scheduled to take place in [[Reno, Nevada]], on July 2, 2005.<ref name=perer-sykes-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/454554/957101|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs Taurus Sykes|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> This was the first time Peter headlined a card televised by Showtime.<ref name=perer-sykes-event>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/454554|title=Event: Samuel Peter vs Taurus Sykes|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> The event was part of the ''[[Showtime Championship Boxing]]'' program. Sykes was 5–0–1 in his last six fights, most notably defeating Ahunanya and scoring a draw against Imamu Mayfield.<ref name=sykes-mayfield1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Mayfield-Sykes-Fight-to-Draw-7179813.php|title=Mayfield, Sykes Fight to Draw|website=ctinsider.com|date=June 8, 2003 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref><ref name=perer-sykes-bout/><ref name=sykes-record>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8940|title=Professional boxing record: Taurus Sykes|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> In the build-up to the fight, Sykes continued accusing Peter of avoiding the fight with him previously.<ref name=peter-sykes-buildup/><ref name=perer-sykes-announced>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/104453|title=Samuel Peter Vs. Taurus Sykes On Showtime Boxing|website=boxing247.com|date=May 31, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> A pre-fight press conference call saw a clash of words between both fighters, with Sykes continuing to insult Peter: "I know I am being underestimated, but it is all good. It has been like this my whole career. Everybody I have fought was supposed to beat me, but I came out on top. [...] I will outsmart him and outthink him. I am going to be a slick, crafty boxer. I know that he has never really fought anybody like that. Everybody he has fought is running from him, looking to get a check and leave. [...] Sam is getting all hyped. That is how I am going to take him out of the fight. I am going to bust him down and then I will just walk away with a smile."<ref name=perer-sykes-conference-call>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/104620|title=Showtime Conference Call Quotes: Samuel Peter-Taurus Sykes|website=boxing247.com|date=June 17, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>

During one of pre-fight interviews, Peter admitted he had never looked for an early knockout when he entered a fight, but expressed confidence in his ability of knocking out anyone "if I get my shots (off)". He also talked about [[Olusegun Obasanjo|the president]] and the government of Nigeria following his career and supporting him ever since his first appearance on Showtime, and stated that "for Nigeria, it would be unbelievable for us to have a world champion. Totally unbelievable."<ref name=peter-diaz-interview-june-05>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/us-news/2005/samuel-peter-heavywei._sto736379/story.shtml|title=Samuel Peter: Heavywei...|website=eurosport.com|date=June 28, 2005 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref>

The opening round saw Sykes attempting to stay away from Peter by circling around, working behind the jab and mostly throwing one-two combinations, while Peter was working his way inside, going back-and-forth between combinations to the head and body and trying to press Sykes against the ropes. The same pattern continued in the following round. In the middle of the second round, Peter hurt Sykes with a right hook as Sykes attempted to initiate a clinch. Peter immediately followed with a barrage of punches, not allowing Sykes to stay away and recover from the punch, ultimately knocking him down with one minute left. Sykes was not able to get up, prompting the referee to stop the fight and declare Peter the winner.<ref name=perer-sykes-l>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UgWfoAXBiU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/6UgWfoAXBiU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Samuel Peter vs Taurus Sykes|website=[[YouTube]] |date=September 22, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  With a win over Sykes, Peter became the holder of regional titles of three major sanctioning bodies – IBF, WBA and WBC. As of August 2005, Peter, already ranked by the WBC, IBF and WBO, was ranked No.9 by the WBA.<ref name=wba-rankings-aug-2005>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/wba-ranking|title=World Boxing Association Ranking for August - 2005|website=wbaboxing.com|date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=wbo-rankings-aug-2005>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wboboxing.com/rankings|title=WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION RANKING AUGUST 2005|website=wboboxing.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>

====Peter vs. Wladimir Klitschko====
{{Main|Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter}}
On September 24, 2005, he faced [[Wladimir Klitschko]] in an elimination match in [[Atlantic City]] for the IBF title, in which Peter's WBC-NABF title was also on the line. Coming into the bout, Klitschko was viewed by many as the underdog<ref name=klitschko-vs-peter-1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/129182|title=Wladimir Klitschko VS Samuel Peter II|website=boxing247.com|date=July 25, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2020}}</ref> against the 7-to-5 favorite Peter who had won all of his 24 fights, with 21 of them having ended inside the distance. Coming into the fight, Samuel Peter was considered one of the brightest prospects in the heavyweight division. Distinguished boxing coaches [[Angelo Dundee]] and [[Teddy Atlas]] expected Peter to win.<ref name="gendlin">{{YouTube|TXLz1G0Bagw|Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter, 1st fight}}. «Bolshoi ring». (rus.)</ref><ref name=klitschko-vs-peter-1-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/454334/990950|title=Bout: Wladimir Klitschko VS Samuel Peter I|website=boxrec.com|access-date=March 23, 2020}}</ref> Wladimir's team, including his brother Vitali, were worried about Wladimir, and were against this fight to happen. Wladimir, however, insisted on fighting Peter, claiming that beating a feared, hard-hitting fighter like Samuel Peter would help him to regain his stock and become mandatory challenger for two heavyweight belts.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://klitschko-brothers.com/video/boi-s-uchastiem-bratev-klichko/vladimir-klichko/2003-2005-smutnye-vremena/48-vladimir-klichko-syemyuyel-piter-i-24-09-2005.html|title=48. Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter I. (24-09-2005)|date=November 3, 2013|website= klitschko-brothers.com|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010330/http://klitschko-brothers.com/video/boi-s-uchastiem-bratev-klichko/vladimir-klichko/2003-2005-smutnye-vremena/48-vladimir-klichko-syemyuyel-piter-i-24-09-2005.html|archive-date=November 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|eMJJ_8psbTQ|Documentary «Klitschko»}}</ref>

The first four rounds were tentative, with Peter not being to close the distance. At the end of the third, Peter staggered Klitschko with a powerful left hook. He hurt Klitschko again in the fifth with another left hook, sending Klitschko to the canvas with the [[rabbit punch]]. The referee counted it as the knockdown. Peter immediately went for the attack after Klitschko got up, dropping him again with the rabbit punch. The referee scored it as the second knockdown.<ref name="book golden klitschko brothers">Alexander Belienkiy: Golden Klitschko brother, p. 188–190 (rus.).</ref> Peter was outboxed through sixth to ninth rounds, frequently trying to hit Klitschko with the rabbit punch whenever escaping from a clinch.<ref name="book golden klitschko brothers"/><ref name=klitschko-vs-peter-l>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0u4y6QjZ9Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/r0u4y6QjZ9Q| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Wladimir Klitschko Vs Samuel Peter 24 09 2005|website=youtube.com|date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=March 23, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Near the end of the tenth round Peter staggered Wladimir with a hard right hand, eventually sending Klitschko to the canvas with another right when Wladimir was backing away. In the 11th and 12th rounds, Klitschko was trying to keep Peter at the distance using straight punches. Peter caught Klitschko with a left hook in the last round, but was unable to capitalize on it. Instead, Klitschko caught him with a hard counter left hook of his own, staggering Peter for the first time in the fight.<ref name="book golden klitschko brothers"/><ref name=klitschko-vs-peter-l/>

Eventually the bout went the distance, with Peter losing the fight by unanimous decision (UD). All the judges scored the bout identically 114–111.<ref name=klitschko-vs-peter-1-bout/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.secondsout.com/columns/thomas-hauser/wladimir-klitschko-vs-samuel-peter|title=Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter|newspaper=SecondsOut Boxing News|access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref>

====Peter vs. Hawkins, Long====
Less than three months later after losing to Klitschko, on December 15, 2005, Peter faced Robert Hawkins (21–4–0, 7 KOs) in a stay-busy fight where the WBA-NABA title was also on the line. The bout was a part of the heavyweight triple-header which also saw undefeated [[Sultan Ibragimov]] facing [[Lance Whitaker]],<ref name=peter-hawkins-event>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/474064|title=Event: Sultan Ibragimov vs Lance Whitaker|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> with Peter's promoter Ivaylo Gotzev expecting the winners of the two bouts to face each other in the near future. "Robert Hawkins is a tough and credible fighter", Dino Duva said in the build-up to the fight, "This fight proves Sam Peter is a true warrior not afraid of anyone." The event billed as "Global Warfare" took place at [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood]] and was televised on In-Demand PPV for $19.95.<ref name=peter-hawkins-buildup>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/106714|title=Sam Peter Ready To Give Robert Hawkins His "Nightmare Before Christmas"|website=boxing247.com|date=December 10, 2005 |access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref>

The bout started with aggressive approach by Peter. He knocked Hawkins down midway through the first round but was more cautious afterwards, patiently stalking Hawkins across the ring and fighting behind the jab. The bout was interrupted in the fourth round after Sultan Ibragimov's coach [[Panama Lewis]] collapsed due to a heart failure. The delay lasted 11 minutes. After the action resumed, the following round only lasted one minute. After the sixth round, Peter was forced to fight with a split down the back of his trunks. Peter stepped up his aggression after the seventh round. Hawkins fought most of the fight on the back foot and appeared to be unable to withstand Peter's pressure. Ultimately the bout went the distance, with Peter being declared the winner. The judges scored the bout 99–90 (twice) and 98–91, all in favor of Peter.<ref name=peter-hawkins-espn-coverage>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2260701|title=Peter returns with easy win over Hawkins
|website=espn.com|date=December 16, 2005
|access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name=peter-hawkins-bout>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/445667/929508|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs Robert Hawkins|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> At the conclusion of 2005, Peter was ranked No.9 heavyweight in the world by ''The Ring''.<ref name=the-ring-annual-ratings-2000s>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_Heavyweight--2000s|title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight--2000s|website=boxrec.com|access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref>

On April 28, 2006, Peter faced 7'1" journeyman [[Julius Long]] (14–7, 12 KOs) for the NABF heavyweight title, despite the fact that Long was unranked by the WBC, in a bout televised by ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.boxnews.com.ua/en/ratings/All/Heavyweight/03-2006|title=RATINGS - Heavyweight - March 2006|website=boxnews.com.ua|access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.boxnews.com.ua/en/interviews/2592/2006-04-25/EXCLUSIVE-INTERVIEW-SAMUEL-PETER|title=Exclusive Interview: Samuel Peter|website=boxnews.com.ua|access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref> Long was 4–2 in his last six fights, coming off of a UD loss to Terry Smith (24–1–1, 16 KOs).<ref name=bout-peter-vs-long>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/30144|title=Bout: Samuel Peter vs. Julius Long|website=boxrec.com|access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref> Peter was viewed as the heavy favorite against Long who, despite his size, was mostly an inside fighter and threw punches under unusual angles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/107926|title=Samuel Peter Vs. Julius Long: Don't Blink Or You Might Miss Something|website=boxing247.com|date=April 29, 2006 |access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref> Peter made a quick work of Long, dropping him 80 seconds into the first round and then again clobbering him by a three-punch combination, which resulted in Long collapsing face first on the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/us-news/2005/peter-makes-short-work._sto876034/story.shtml|title=Peter Makes Short Work...|website=eurosport.com|access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>