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SHOBOX on Showtime Peter vs. Pudar Urango vs. Arnaoutis
August 5, 2004 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida 11 PM ET/PT*
Line-up: Heavyweight Bout (10 Rds) Samuel
"The Nigerian Nightmare'' Peter (19-0,
17 KO's) vs. Jovo Pudar (22-2,
12 KO's) Juan
"El Mello'' Urango (13-0,
10 KO's) vs. "Mighty''
Mike Arnaoutis (10-0,
4 KO's)
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NEW YORK (July 15, 2004) - Fast becoming the heavyweight division's scariest fighter, undefeated Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter (19-0, 17 KO's) will square off in a 10-round showdown against Jovo Pudar (22-2, 12 KO's) Thursday, Aug. 5, on the SHOWTIME boxing series, "ShoBox: The New Generation." In the 12-round co-feature of unbeaten junior welterweights, Juan "El Mello" Urango (13-0, 10 KO's) will be opposed by "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis (10-0, 4 KO's) for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) title.
SHOWTIME will televise the Duva Boxing and Warrior's Boxing doubleheader from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., at 11 p.m. ET/PT*. The telecast represents the 48th in the popular "ShoBox" series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001.
The vastly improved Peter, of Las Vegas, by way of Akwaibom, Nigeria, is regarded by some as the future of the heavyweight division and to many others as a boxer to avoid at all costs.
"Peter's exciting style and personal character make him a much-needed breath of fresh air in the heavyweight division," his promoter, Dino Duva, said. "Boxing insiders know it too, but some of them are afraid to admit it because they want to protect their own agendas."
Thick set and physically strong, Peter is a relentless slugger with fast hands. Since turning pro in 2001, 13 out of his 17 knockouts have come in the first or second round.
"I want a chance to show what I can do," Peter said. "I do not care who I fight. All these guys should be fighting me, not hiding from me."
A devout Christian who is married with one child, Peter is a well-respected role model among the Nigerian community in his adopted home of Las Vegas. He lives a clean life, does not smoke or drink, and refuses to talk trash or generate controversy.
"I do my talking in the ring," said Peter, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) youth champion who is coming off of a 10-round unanimous decision over Charles Shufford on May 17, 2004. "Knockouts are good, but the main thing is to win.''
Hoping to silence Peter and crash his "Nightmare On ShoBox" coming out party is fellow Las Vegan and Bosnia native, Pudar. A three-time junior amateur champion in Bosnia and member of the 1992 Yugoslav Olympic team, Pudar has the kind of overall boxing ability and experience to give Peter trouble.
A winner of 15 of his last 16 bouts, the big, strong, durable fighter has never been stopped. In his last outing, and first since his 14-fight winning streak ended, Pudar registered a first-round TKO over Stacy Frazier on April 15, 2004.
"Peter is a good, young fighter but I have a lot going for me," said Pudar, who is at his best when he can work his way in behind a sharp jab. "I know he hits hard, but I welcome this opportunity. A victory will put me right where I want to be.
Urango, of Miami, by way of Monteria, Colombia, will make his second United States start for Florida-based Warrior's Boxing. After turning pro in April 2002, the hard-hitting rookie knocked out his initial 10 opponents.
The up-and-coming southpaw prospect won his third consecutive decision in his most recent start with an impressive six-round nod over previously undefeated Sergey Sorokin (15-0-1 going in) on June 8, 2003, in Hollywood, Fla. In what many called the fight of the night, Urango floored Sorokin in the third en route to triumphing by the scores 60-53 twice and 58-55.
Arnaoutis, of Vineland, N.J., by way of Athens, Greece, is a flashy, crowd-pleasing boxer with an abundance of skills. A top amateur in his homeland, the dedicated youngster turned pro on April 30, 2001.
In his last bout, the well-schooled Arnaoutis tossed his second consecutive shutout by outpointing Marty Robbins from here to El Paso on June 17, 2004, in Glen Burnie, Md. Working behind a solid right hand jab and effectively combining dazzling hand speed and power, Arnaoutis appeared to have the time of his life.
"I love to fight and put on a show," said Arnaoutis, who left Robbins frustrated, bloodied and exhausted by the bout's conclusion. "I truly enjoy what I am doing. I love to go to work on the nights I am fighting.''
Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
*Tape Delayed on the West Coast
- Press Release issued by Showtime's Shobox (with a little editing from us - color, highlights).
Card subject to change
(7/24/04)
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