This fight has train wreck written all over it. Sam ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Peter is facing Jameel McCline tonight after his original opponent Oleg Maskaev pulled out with a back injury. Maskaev was the WBC Heavyweight Champion, but the title was stripped and given to Peter. So basically we have a hand-me-down world champion, versus a man who has lost all three of his last big fights. McCline was knocked out by Wladimir Klitschko, lost a decision to Chris Byrd, and was knocked out by Nikolai Valuev without being hit with a punch (his knee gave out).

The redeeming value we the viewers get, is the fact that Sam Peter punches like a wild beast and occasionally the punches connect. This makes for excellent television most of the time.

Jim Grey just asked Jameel McCline about the reports that he’s been purchasing steroids, Jameel has no comment of course.

Round 1 – Peter comes out with the most energy, jabbing, throwing shots to the body. McCline is cautious but very willing to engage Peter, 90 seconds are left in the round. No significant shots landed by either figher, McCline keeps yelling out “HAA!” everytime he throws a jab, thats kinda weird. Peter lands a few good overhand rights to end the round.

Peter gets the round. 10-9

Round 2 – McCline comes out jabbing, yelling with every punch he throws. God I hope this fight doesn’t go the distance if he’s gonna keep shouting. McCline is looking confident, throwing more shots, Peter is calming stalking him. Peter scores a big right hand with 50 seconds left, big right hand by Peter. McCline isnt seriously hurt but it got his attention. Peter gets overly aggressive in the last 10 seconds of the fight and McCline floors him with a right hook. It seems like a flash knockdown but it couts. Ref gives Peter a standing eight count.

10-8 McCline takes the round.

Round 3 – McCline comes out and catches Peter with hard shots, Peter stumbles into the ropes, before being knocked down for a second time. McCline has him wobbled, Peter has no legs, pounded with shots but he’s hanging in there. McCline may have punched himself out, but Peter is there for the taking. Peter goes down one more time with 50 seconds left in the round. If McCline takes his time he can end the fight now. Peter seems more hindered by his lack of conditioning than the actual shots. five seconds left in the round. Peter survives!

10-7 McClines round

Round 4 – Both men come out slow, Peter jabbing a little. First minute of the round goes by without any significant action. Peter seems to have collected himself and gotten his feet under him. Second minute goes by with no real action. Peter throws a nice combo, followed by a combo from McCline. McCline asserts himself to end out the round.

10-9 McClines round

Round 5 -Peter stalks McCline and throws a few big shots that are mostly blocked. Peter lands three big shots with 90 seconds left. McCline goes back to his jabbing , trying to keep Peter off. McCline throws a nice combo to end out the round. Neither men did any real damage, McCline was the busier fighter, but Peter landed the most significant shots. The ref warns peter of hitting behind the head.

10-9 Peter’s round

Round 6 – Both men seem very tired, as heavyweights tend to do after the first five or six rounds. The men stand in the middle of the ring and trade, McCline comes out of the encouter on top slightly. Very closoe round going into the last minute. The men lock up and sneak shots in. McCline lands two hard shots with 15 seconds left, temporarily stuns Peter.

10-9 McCline’s round

Round 7 – Peter trying to get a second win, McCline is throwing more shots but Peter is throwing with conviction. The men briefly trade with no major damage done. McCline has been doing a very good job of doubling up on his hard shots throughout the fight. Peter lands two nice right hands in the last minute of the round. McCline was busier, but Peter’s shots were harder. That’s beginning to be the theme…

10-9 Peter’s round

Round 8 - No real action in the first round, each guy is a bit cautious of the other at this point. McCline lands 3 or 4 hard shots coming out of a clench. The commentators finally mention McCline yelling like an idiot every time he throws a jab. I was beginning to think it was just me. The round has been very close, a lot of stalking, a lot of clenching. If this fight goes the distance this could turn out to be a swing round. I’m giving it to McCline for being the busier fighter

10-9 McCline

Round 9 – The men jab, faint, and posture for the first minute of the round. More clenching and jabbing follows. The action has slowed down considerably since the earlier stages of the fight. McCline seems more tired than Peter is at this point, this could factor in later on. Peter lands a few stiff shots in the last minute. Peter throws four hard shots around the beltline and that angers McCline. He fires back with 3 hard shots before catching a hard right from Peter at the bell.

10-9 Peter’s round

Round 10 – McCline tries to pick up his work rate, ripping hard shots to Peter’s body (most of which are blocked). Both men jab away, jockeying for a favorable position. Peter lands a stiff jab, followed by a big right a few seconds later. Very close round with one minute left. No real action until the last 10 seconds where the men mix it up a little.

10-9 Peter’s close round

Round 11 – No real action for the first minute, the guys seem to be conserving their strength for later in the round. McCline lands the more meaningful shots thusfar but no real damage. Nice stiff jabs by McCline pop Peter’s head back. McCline is the busier fighter thusfar,. The men choose to mix it up throwing furious hard shots in the last ten seconds. Peter gets the best of the exchange, if this had happened 30 seconds earlier McCline could have been in a little bit of trouble. Another close round.

10-9 Peter

Round 12 – Peter comes out looking to mix it up, throwing hard jabs and a few of the wild lefts we’re used tos eeing from him. The pro Peter crowd is getting loud. Alot of holding by the men, who seem to be tired. Peter lands a couple of hard shots, sticking the jab in there. With 30 seconds left this appears to be Peter’s round, his workrate is higher, and he’s landed the harder shots.

10-9 Peter

The Scorecards are in, Peter wins a unanimous decision, the official judge’s scores were:

113-112
115-111
115-110

Post Fight: McCline is pissed, he doesn’t want to let Jim Grey interview him. He quickly answers two questions while exiting the ring, saying he shouldn’t have lost by that big of a margin. He’s seen shouting “I won the fight” to the crowd. I think he didn’t stick around because he remembered Jim was gonna ask about those steroids.

Sam Peter is saying his hands are broken, thats why he’s hand trouble. I have no idea what the hell Peter is talking about, Jim Grey looks like he agrees with me. Peter is saying he was able to get up from the knockdowns because “I sleep” while pointing to the mat, whatever that means. Jim asked him if he meant “he slipped” the punches, Peter says no, he slept… go figure.

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7:19pm – McCline is now walking to the ring

7:22pm – Both men are being introduced by Jimmy Lennon Jr…. McCline has the look on his face like he know he’s about to catch a beat down.