At the risk of being a bore, we have a pretty clear understand of what Sam Peter was, but what Jawn L was is open to interpretation. If you agree with teh average General Forum fan about what Sullivan was, then Peter is obviously going to be good enough to beat him. If you agree with extremists lie Seamus, then Peter is in for a sore head.
Sullivan would have known better than to even try this. The color line thing was embarrassing and cowardly IMO, but in this case against Peter, I wouldn't have blamed him for using it to get out of the fight. It probably would have spared John L. a severe concussion.
Sam Peter was from his mother's womb untimely ripped. Sam asked "who necks?" and the Great John L obliges by going down and out in the 21st round.