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In a highly anticpated matchup, Wladimir Klitschko defends his IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight laurels when he takes on The Nigerian nightmare Samuel Peter this Saturday night in Frankfurt.
This is the second meeting of the two. Five years ago at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Klitschko, survived two knockdowns en route to a tough but unanimous points victory in an eliminator for the IBF Heavyweight championship.
Since then both protaganists have captured World Titles. Wladimir in his very next bout defeated old foe Chris Byrd for the second time winning this time in 7 rounds to become a 2 time World Champion.
Peter, on the other hand, would go on to defeat Jameel McCline for the WBC version of the title in October 2007 over the 12 round course. He would defend once before running into the returning big brother of Wladimir, the former WBC champion Vitali.
In that fight one year later in October 2008, Peter was thoroughly dismantled in 8 rounds in Berlin losing on a retirement stoppage. After a further setback in his next fight against Eddie Chambers, Peter has racked up 4 wins.
Although Wladimir Klitschko has had his critics (me included), theres no doubting the mans pedigree. A two time World champion since turning pro in 2000, Kltitschko has defeated allcomers. He has shown courage and character in coming back from heavy defeats from Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
He has even defeated Brewster in a rematch since. Also respected names such as Calvin Brock, Sultan Ibragimov and Ruslan Chagaev have been despatched.
Although British attention is on David Haye, only a fool would say that the Klitschko brothers are not number 1 in the division.
With David Haye now fighting Audley Harrison its now definite we are no nearer the unification fight we crave.
Peter will have his moments on Satuday night but I feel Klitschkos sharp jolting punches will be enough to deter the Nigerian Nightmare possibly by stoppage around the 10th round mark.
