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After nearly four years out of the ring, Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko challenges “The Nigerian Nightmare”, Samuel Peter, for his old WBC Heavyweight Championship at the 02 World Arena in Berlin tonight.
Much has happened since Klitschko’s last fight. Brother Wladimir has established himself as top dog in the weight class, unifying half the division and Vitali’s opponent this Saturday night is looking to establish his legacy in the division also.
Peter is no stranger to the Klitschko’s; back in 2005 in an IBF eliminator, the Nigerian knocked down Wladimir three times before dropping a close but unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
Strong, powerful and durable, Peter dusted himself off and proceeded to score two victories over the crafty veteran James Toney before winning the Interim WBC title with a points victory over Jameel McCline, climbing off the canvas three times to do so, in October 2007. He then won the title proper with a sixth round stoppage over Russian Oleg Maskaev in March this year.
Vitali, the older of the two Klitschkos, represents Peter’s toughest test since the last defeat of the “Nigerian Nightmare”. Although the challenger has spent four years out of the ring, he is tough, durable and has tons of heart. The sixth round loss on cuts to Lennox Lewis in June 2003 proved that. In that fight, Vitali absorbed bombs that would have knocked out any other fighter.
His only three fights since then was a second round stoppage win over Kirk Johnson in December 2003 and two eight round stoppage wins over Corrie Sanders and Danny Williams in 2004 in WBC title bouts.
So the big question is can Vitali win his old title back?
Peter, as we know, is durable and resourceful, but the same can be said of the challenger also.
A Peter victory tonight will prove himself as the major challenger to Wladimir Klitschko as the number one heavyweight in the world. For Vitali, is this a one fight deal or will this be a new chapter in his career? Don’t forget before his retirement due to injuries in 2004, he was perceived as the division’s number one man.
For the sake of boxing, I hope Peter comes through this one. A man who has spent four years out of the ring defeating the world number two heavyweight will do nothing to enhance the public’s perception of the strength of the division as a whole.
That being said, I’ve got a funny feeling that the sheer size of Klitschko will be enough to keep Peter at bay and the Ukrainian will regain his old title on a points verdict.
