Can Vitali be the same after 4 years out!

Just seen this on fightnews and it got me thinking. If you could take the Vitali of 4 years ago and put him in a fight with Peter I would not only fancy him to beat him but to KO him. But after such a long layoff and so many other things like his recent political stands going on in his life not to mention his increased age, can he possibly be as good as he was in 2004?

Also does anyone think he sould have fought a tune up fight first?

V. Klitchko-Peter set for Oct. 11
Former world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) has solidified the date of Oct. 11 to make his comeback, in Berlin, Germany. Klitschko will face WBC Heavyweight Champion Samuel Peter (30-1, 23 KOs). Klitschko ends a four-year layoff, but has been selected by the WBC to walk into a title fight because of he was crowned “champion emeritus” after retiring.

Crazy not to have at least one warm up fight imo. I think he could come back and still ruin any of the rubbish that's around at the moment.

It is risky, but he did see his brother outbox Peter and Vitali has a better chin so he probably thinks he can nick a decision in Germany.

I think with his injury problems a warm up fight could see him out of the game for good if something go's again, so taking on the best available opponent(imo) for the fight makes sence, but its a huge risk!
not sure who I think will win but sliding towards Peter...

I don't think he can be the same, but thats not to say he can't be effective.

In saying that Peter should beat him. Vitali has had such problems with injury in camps that Peter would be foolish not to rough him up and capitalise on Vitali's ailments.

VERY tall order for Vitali, props to him for taking it but like most above said, a warm up fight wouldn't have hurt.

4 years will take it's toll on anyone. Vitali should be no different, fortunately for him if his skills and reaction have diminished by 50% he should be on par with most of the HW division.

I'm not real high on peter....but he's gonna knock vitali's head off.

I don't know-

Sam Peter has learned over 2 fights with James Toney he can't always rely on his power. Also with the 2nd Toney fight we saw that Peter can actually be nimble and light on his feet when he wants to be and can shed weight. I think Vitali hasn't taken that tune-up fight for a reason- either he has it or he doesn't and he's looking to answer that question with a titleholder he can make some change from as opposed to some walking corpse for Vitali to look bad against. Persistent injuries don't get better with time. One's dual interests in boxing and political office shows a lack of focus for either- it's not like they're complimentary.

Vitali IMO isn't as hurt by ring rust as most fighters as his style is already awkward and has no real rhythm to it.

Vitali is pretty solid on defense, he leans back and I doubt Sam can reach him even with the wide looping punches he's bound to start with. Vitali has good one punch power and can throw a variety of shots.

After the debacle vs McCline, I think Sam Peter is primed for a KO loss.

...if Vitali loses for whatever reason I think it sets up nicely for Wladimir to rule the entire division.

I think Vitali knows that he got only one at best two fights left in him...and both Klitschkos want desperately write boxing history becoming the first brothers having HW titles at the same time...

If Vitali can put his injury history behind him he should even after 4 years beat Peters more or less easily and after that the value of both Klitschkos would rise enormously...

Vitali has struggled enough trying to make it through a training camp let only a fight!

But it was his only move really as who's to say he would not of got injured again after a warm up fight.

The 4 years of is going to be telling!

I'm backing Peter big time, as both Klitschko's claiming to be champion is just bad for the game!!! We won't get a undisputed champion that way. Vitali should have kept his a** retired & listened to his body which has been clearly telling him he can't do this no more! If not for himself then at least for the sport!

I think any fighter waltzing in off 4 years absence of competition let alone, a top tier fighter runs the risk of meeting dizaster 1st time out.

How much in gym prep?Sparring. Range can give Peter panick moments ,A polished fighter may have finished Sam unlike Mccline who shot it all and watched Peter get up & adjust down the stretch.Sam will have to press action but It boils down to where Vitali is physically and mentally right now ??

No.

I'm still a bit undecided on this fight. I keep thinking that 4 years is too long and so on but then I expected Vitali to beat McCline comfortably until he got injured and look at how much trouble he caused Peter!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JohnnyKickAss

I think Vitali knows that he got only one at best two fights left in him...and both Klitschkos want desperately write boxing history becoming the first brothers having HW titles at the same time...

If Vitali can put his injury history behind him he should even after 4 years beat Peters more or less easily and after that the value of both Klitschkos would rise enormously...

---

yeah i agree. i think vitali will just keep peter away with his size. vitali is also more durable than wlad so I see vitali winning a lop sided decision

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rjj tszyu

But after such a long layoff and so many other things like his recent political stands going on in his life not to mention his increased age, can he possibly be as good as he was in 2004?

---

No.

No way. I think Sam the Slob beats him inside 7 or 8. The layoff will really hurt Vitali. He should have had a warmup at least.

Maybe he should have fought Haye ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Maybe he should have fought Haye ;D

---

And Haye would have sparked him out. You know Haye is for real Lyle. You just don't wanna admit it. I bet you like everything about Haye really.

I like your enthusiasm...I'll remember it when David Haye gets CRUSHED...it'll happen it's only a matter of time

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

I like your enthusiasm...I'll remember it when David Haye gets CRUSHED...it'll happen it's only a matter of time

---

I cant wait till Haye v Klitchsko gets made. I'll be your worst nightmare.

Intangibles should be the name of this fight.

Vitali out of the ring since 2004 and has tried to comeback before but seems injury plagued while also living a comfortable lifestyle outside the ring and mixing in political circles in his home country of Ukraine.

While Peter, who looked dreadful against McCline and on the night seemed to have his mind elsewhere is possibly a fighter who has lost his focus and in turn is highly beatable.

This story from December 2007 shows the sort of out of the ring problems Peter has had.

Tuoyo Ukusanren
Lagos

Nigerians and indeed the boxing world were yesterday saved the agony and horror that would have followed, if a relation of the Interim world heavyweight boxing champion, Samuel Peters had succeeded in shooting him to death in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, 15th December 2007.

Making this disclosure yesterday, Inspector-general of Police, Mike Okiro noted that the boxing champion who was recently promoted DSP in recognition of his feat, was said to have had a minor family squabble with his wife, Enobong Samuel Peter, at Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, where they stayed.


Okiro captured the matter thus, "You will recall that about a month ago, we all gathered here to celebrate the honour done to the nation by DSP Samuel Okon Peter, a police officer, who worked hard to become the first African Heavy weight boxing champion of the world.

It is however, regrettable to inform you that after this celebration, there was an attempt to kill the officer in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, over minor family squabbles".

Trouble started when Peter's wife (Enobong) invited her uncle and brother, Anthony Afia and Godwin Edet Etim respectively when matters got out of hand with her husband.

"The duo arrived, and following an altercation between them and Samuel Peter, Godwin Edet Etim, went for a pump action short gun, concealed in their SUV vehicle with Reg. No. AE 309 DVV corked and was about to shoot DSP Samuel Okon Peter but was prevented from doing so by Cpl Uzoma Promise and three other policemen on duty at the hotel", the IG said.

"They courageously pounced on Godwin Edet from behind and disarmed him. The suspects will soon be charged to court with the exhibit gun, eight rounds of live cartridges and the Jeep recovered by the police".

An elated Okiro consequently directed that Cpl Uzoma Promise be promoted to the next rank of Sergeant for saving the nation and the police such embarrassment if Peter had been killed.

Responding to questions from journalists later, Godwin Edet Etim who said he was an in-law to Samuel Peters, confessed that he actually pulled the gun on Samuel Peter but added he did not mean to kill him, as he only wanted to frighten him.Relevant Links

"My sister gave us a distress call in the 15th of December that her husband seized her car keys and threw her out of the hotel and I and my uncle rushed there. On approaching him, he was tearing his clothes and threatening to beat us up including my sister."

"I then went to my uncle's car to remove the gun but I wanted to scare him, not kill him, because he is so powerful and we cannot fight him. I want to say that I am not demented, I went to school and I am a married and responsible man. I agree that I pulled the gun. I only wanted to prevent him from assaulting my sister".

On his part, Anthony Affia, the uncle who said he trained Peter's wife and her siblings in the United states where he is resident, noted that he rushed to the hotel with his Etim to prevent Peter from beating his wife noting that such incident in the past led to the loss of a seven-month-old baby.


Who wins? - God knows cos I don't.

Well...this discussion about a warm up fight...I think Peter is the warm up fight...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by leftylee

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

I like your enthusiasm...I'll remember it when David Haye gets CRUSHED...it'll happen it's only a matter of time

---

I cant wait till Haye v Klitchsko gets made. I'll be your worst nightmare.

---

He has a point Lyle you have been digging a hole for yourself big time. And can I please ask why you don't like Haye? He's hard hitting like Wlad, he has a questionable chin like Wlad but he IMO is more exciting than Wlad. I thought you would have liked him!

Honestly it's a toss up. Vitali would probably KO Peter 4-5 years ago. Today, it's kind of hard to predict because I don't think Peter has proven himself. Yeah he beat Toney, Maskaev, and came from behind to outpoint McCline. I'm not convinced. It does indeed make this an evenly matched fight in which the winner should considered to be the real deal. Also, nobody is talking about Tarver-Dawson. That fight is kind of a big deal too.

I hope not.

I guess I'm just being a hater ;D

He's a fragile dude though, I'd say its more than even money that the Peter fight doesn't even come off. As for the fight who knows, Peter's chin looks like its been kind of permanently dented.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Vitali IMO isn't as hurt by ring rust as most fighters as his style is already awkward and has no real rhythm to it.

Vitali is pretty solid on defense, he leans back and I doubt Sam can reach him even with the wide looping punches he's bound to start with. Vitali has good one punch power and can throw a variety of shots.

After the debacle vs McCline, I think Sam Peter is primed for a KO loss.

...if Vitali loses for whatever reason I think it sets up nicely for Wladimir to rule the entire division.

---

I have to agree with Lyle , Peter is going to get KOED ,

If Peter didn't tire against Wlad he could've taken him out late imo he already knocked him down 3 times but there are going to be more questions about Vitali's stamina if this fight goes into the later rounds could we actually see Peter being the one coming on strong ?

Vitali Klitschko will pull out again.

No.

Simply put, your chin, power, speed and reflexes don't get better with age. You don't come back even stronger after several injuries and people who fail at one thing (mayoral election) don't just go back to the other thing they used to do and pick up right where they left off. Hell, even Jordan's first season after coming out of retirement was rusty and Klitschko jumps back in with a champ who's one of the hardest punchers in the division.

Peter is still coming into his own. Look for a good battle that Vitali will lose.

Vitali will ko Peter by rd 7. I don't think Peter will hold up to the barrage of heavy punches that he is going to face. Vitali's ring rust is the only thing that Peter has going for him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssss

Vitali Klitschko will pull out again.

---

Wouldn't doubt that....he's older, he's injury prone, and he's done it before.


I like Vitali and all but his stalling with Oleg and Rahman really annoyed me. Love watching the guy fight but he is either ready to fight or he isn't and should retire he can't keep coming back like this.


I think Vitali's style will be extremely difficult for Peter to deal with. He's VERY different than Wladimir in his style.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssss

Vitali Klitschko will pull out again.

---

Wouldn't doubt that....he's older, he's injury prone, and he's done it before.


I like Vitali and all but his stalling with Oleg and Rahman really annoyed me. Love watching the guy fight but he is either ready to fight or he isn't and should retire he can't keep coming back like this.


I think Vitali's style will be extremely difficult for Peter to deal with. He's VERY different than Wladimir in his style.

---

He WAS a lot harder to beat IMO than Wlad because he's not afraid of taking a shot whereas Wlad sometimes seems terrified of being tagged.

If it was not for Wlads chin I think he would probably be the slight better of the 2 as he is a more polished boxer but that chin is a huge factor!

It's not that Vitali's chin is better he just takes the shots better....Wlad got CRUSHED by a left cross from Corrie Sanders that was right on the money and Wlad got back up...it's not like Wlad gets knocked out cold he just doesn't deal with the punch as well as Vitali.


I really think Vitali's best attribute is his awkward style, it's a throwback style where he's leaning back and can fire off from lots of different angles. Sam Peter is going to be ducking and diving every which way to get away from the punches but Vitali will have his number: Jab, left hook, right cross, uppercut....he's got all the tools and he's definently going to do the Klitschko 1-2, jab, swat guard down, right cross

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

It's not that Vitali's chin is better he just takes the shots better....Wlad got CRUSHED by a left cross from Corrie Sanders that was right on the money and Wlad got back up...it's not like Wlad gets knocked out cold he just doesn't deal with the punch as well as Vitali.


I really think Vitali's best attribute is his awkward style, it's a throwback style where he's leaning back and can fire off from lots of different angles. Sam Peter is going to be ducking and diving every which way to get away from the punches but Vitali will have his number: Jab, left hook, right cross, uppercut....he's got all the tools and he's definently going to do the Klitschko 1-2, jab, swat guard down, right cross

---

I hope your right Lyle we need as much class in the HW division as we can get and I don't think Peter is the man to add it whereas we know if Vitali can still do it he is.

Well if Sam Peter can take out Vitali it shows he does have some class....I really would rather see Wladimir rematch Sam Peter as I think Wlad would be extremely dominant this go round and KO Peter.


No matter the outcome of this fight I want one of the Klitschko's to fight Nicolay Valuev and finally rid the boxing world of him. If we had Wladimir-Valuev and Vitali-Ruiz then I think people would be more excited than they are about Valuev-Ruiz II, Vitali-Peter, and Wladimir-Povetkin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Well if Sam Peter can take out Vitali it shows he does have some class....I really would rather see Wladimir rematch Sam Peter as I think Wlad would be extremely dominant this go round and KO Peter.


No matter the outcome of this fight I want one of the Klitschko's to fight Nicolay Valuev and finally rid the boxing world of him. If we had Wladimir-Valuev and Vitali-Ruiz then I think people would be more excited than they are about Valuev-Ruiz II, Vitali-Peter, and Wladimir-Povetkin

---

Yes I know but its all the boxing politics BS. We have had to put up with it for years now. I wouldn't be surprised if Ruiz outpoints Valuev tonight by the way. But I'd fancy Wlad to KO Valuev no problem.

Yeah he's big but thats all Wlad would run rings round him and KO him. No-one can stand upto Wlads best shot (which to me is the straight right that is set up by the jab) and Valuev doesn't have the speed or skill to stop it landing.

From ESPN.COM

"I look at this as the most difficult fight of Samuel Peter's career," Duva said. "Vitali hits harder than his brother, and I think in his prime -- say, five years ago -- he was a better fighter than Wladimir ever was."


"And the inactivity, you could look at in a couple of ways," Duva added. "One is that he might be a bit rusty, but the other is that Vitali Klitschko might just be fresh as a daisy -- and that's a pretty scary thought."

That would be great if he comes in fresh as a daisy.

I don't think Vitali hits as hard as Wladimir....he certainly doesn't have the same type of power as Wlad