11.08.05 – By Tomasz Blanco: All we’ve been hearing for the longest time, is how Samuel Peter, known as “The Nigerian Nightmare”, will be the savior of Heavyweight boxing. I’ve read articles on how Peter would beat both the Klitschko brothers in the same night! There was even an article here on eastside boxing, stating that the fight would never happen, because Wladimir is a coward.. Well, we all know now that Wladimir is no coward, and that he has gladly agreed to fight Peter. This is a calculated risk on Wladimir’s part, because his career is on the line at this point. The next big question is, how will the fight go?
Recently, Wladimir Klitschko was planning on taking a short rest from boxing, but has obviously went against this (thankfully), by jumping into the ring against, what some people think, is the greatest threat in boxing. But, I am of the opinion that it is Peter who is in too deep.
While Sam possesses power (at least enough to knock out B level fighters), most people forget that Klitschko also has equal power in each fist, including the superior hand speed, arm length and a 5 inch height advantage. Samuel, however, is not even in the same league with Wladimir when it comes to boxing skill, which is no secret in the boxing public. This is the same Wladimir who schooled Chris Byrd (2000-10-14), totally dominated and stopped Jameel McCline in the 10th round (2002-12-07). The extent of Peter’s fights that he hasn’t won by KO, seem to be rather small.
While most people are clamoring about Wladimir’s supposed “glass jaw” they seem to forget that Peter must first hit Wladimir, in order to KO him. And while Peter has some power for sure, his boxing skills have not improved much since his amateur days, when he was easily, and I don’t use that word often, out boxed by Italian Paolo Vidoz. It is then reasonable to assume that Peter’s only chance is to catch Klitschko with a brutal KO shot in the early rounds, something that Wladimir will definitely be watching for. While people will be buying this to see Peter’s power, they will end up seeing a grand display of Wladimir’s ring generalship!
I hate to rain on anyone’s party, or tip over the Peter bandwagon, but this fight is definitely not the best thing Peter could have hoped for. While he will certainly tell how he will crush Wladimir, it will only be words. Wladimir is far too tall, and skilled to lose this one. Wladimir is very eager to get back on track, especially following his recent fiascoes. Be prepared to see Wladimir back in his old form, boxing Peter’s ears back for five rounds, before dropping him in the sixth, and forcing the stoppage in the later-mid rounds (8-9). I think, just to be fair, someone should send a note to Samuel Peter’s camp, telling them that this is no longer Jeremy Williams…it’s Wladimir Klitschko!