Peter Presents a Big Problem

The body seems immovable, the confidence unshakable, the emotions untouchable.

Getting past the game face worn by heavyweight Samuel Peter can be as difficult for a reporter as his devastating power has proven to be for most opponents.

Ask him about fighting less than two weeks after his mother died in 2004 and Peter says simply, “I loved her.”

Ask him how he got into boxing and Peter says, “A coach saw me and liked me.”

Ask him if he has watched the previous fights of James Toney, his opponent in tonight’s main event at Staples Center, and Peter says, “I don’t watch no tapes of nobody.”

Can anybody break through the furrowed brow and menacing stare of the 25-year-old fighter from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, to ignite a spark of emotion?

Leave it to Toney, who never met an opponent he couldn’t infuriate. The first line of defense against him shouldn’t be a pair of gloves but a set of earmuffs.

Even Peter broke down, his stone face crumbling into an avalanche of fury.

It took some work. Toney flung a glass at Peter’s handlers during a news conference, told the African native to “climb a tree” in a conference call and challenged Peter’s promoter, Dino Duva, and his 84-year-old father, Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva, at Thursday’s weigh-in at Staples Center.

By the time the weigh-in ended, a finger-pointing, wildly gesticulating Peter had to be shoved into a van and whisked away to prevent their heavyweight fight from beginning 48 hours early.

Toney had gotten to him.

Such histrionics might seem to be business are usual for boxing, a chance to sell a few more tickets to those unwary of the routine, a chance for Toney to psych himself up for what may be his last shot at a heavyweight title.

But in this case, it might be more. Toney, seemingly at a physical disadvantage and a slight underdog, may have won a few points before the judges are even handed their scorecards.

A psychological edge might be important because, on paper, it seems to be a tough match for Toney (69-4-3, one no-decision, 43 knockouts, ranked No. 2 in the World Boxing Council), who is 13 years older than his opponent and coming off a fight against Hasim Rahman in which Toney’s lack of stamina in the latter rounds resulted in a draw.

Toney claims he had flu. Others blame it on too much pizza and too many cigars.

Toney weighed in at 233 pounds Thursday after losing 32 pounds in training.

Toney figures to need all the stamina he can muster against Peter, who weighed in at 257 and has been touted by his handlers as the man who can inject life and excitement into the dismal heavyweight division with his potentially devastating knockout power.

That seemed to be the case when Peter, who fought for Nigeria in the 2000 Olympics, began his professional career by knocking out his first seven opponents, six in the first round.

Overall, he won his first 24 fights, all against no-names or journeymen.

Then, last year, he stepped into the ring against a recognizable name, Wladimir Klitschko, and exited a loser. Even though he knocked Klitschko down three times, Peter lost a unanimous decision.

The point was hammered home that Peter (26-1, 22 knockouts, No. 3 in the WBC) can’t expect to win by just hammering away at opponents. Not good opponents. Some mobility, strategy and defense are required.

Has Toney already won the mind game with his verbal jabs?

“We give Toney a lot of respect for his savvy and slickness,” said Ivalo Gotvev, Peter’s manager. “But we think Samuel will show that he has added boxing skills to his power.”

Still, a set of earmuffs wouldn’t hurt.

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In the semi-main event, International Boxing Federation featherweight champion Eric Aiken (16-4, 12 knockouts) takes on challenger Robert Guerrero (18-1-1, 11 knockouts).

steve.springer@latimes.com