09.05.08 – by James Slater: As fight fans will probably know, the long awaited Samuel Peter-Vitali Klitschko fight has at last been ironed out, with October being the most likely month for the match to take place. But, as Dino Duva informed ESPN as news of the fight had been made, part of the negotiations allow reigning WBC champ Peter to engage in an interim but before he tangles with the “Champion Emeritus” in Vitali.
According to Duva, Sam will have his interim fight in the month of July, taking on Klitschko three months later. But who is in the frame as far as being “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” next opponent? Obviously, nobody too dangerous will be getting the call. With the Klitschko clash the hugely important as well as money-spinning affair that it is for Sam, he will surely take no big risk as he attempts to stay sharp for Vitali.
Therefore it’s not exactly from a stellar bunch that Peter will be choosing his July opponent.. Duva mentioned a few names to ESPN, these being J.D Chapman, Donnel Holmes and Carl Davies Drummond – all three of which are unbeaten, yet largely untested heavyweights. While, reportedly, Don King is eager to see his fighter Andrew Golota get the July date with Sam. Again, hardly an overly attractive bunch from which Peter’s team can choose. But then again, any heavyweight, if properly motivated, can be in with a shot at winning. Of the four fighters mentioned as potential foes for the big-punching Peter, whose big chance is the more probable?
Looking at J.D “The Natural” Chapman, we see a young guy (25) with a good record. J.D is also a very big guy at 6,5″ and 250-plus pounds. Currently 29-0(26), Chapman has yet to face anyone anywhere near to world class – although he did go in with the then unbeaten Edward Gutierrez back in 2005 and 2006, out-pointing his on both occasions. Gutierrez later went in with David Tua, so he was at least a live body. Chapman’s chances of getting the fight with Peter? I’d say quite good, although he just might be deemed too big for the barely 6 foot Peter.
Donnel Holmes also has a good record statistically. At 28-0-2(24), Holmes certainly looks the part. As with Chapman, however, he has no wins over any recognisable names. Another problem for Holmes could be his age. At 35, time is surely running out for the man who calls himself “The Real Touch of Sleep.” Would the fans buy a Peter-Holmes fight? I’d say the 35 year old’s chances of landing the title shot are quite remote.
Carl Davies Drummond, a 33 year old heavyweight from Costa Rica, also has a good record at 25-0(19). A fairly small heavyweight in terms of poundage at approx 220, Drummond has one reasonable win on his otherwise untested record – a points win over former IBF cruiserweight champ Kelvin “Concrete” Davis. Drummond could well be the man team Peter chooses for July.
And finally we have Andrew Golota. We all know about this guy. One of the more prominent heavyweights of the last 12 years or so, “The Foul Pole” actually boxed a controlled and admirable fight last time out, when he sucked it up to outscore the unbeaten Mike Mollo over 12 on the under-card of the Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad fight back in January. In some ways the form Golota showed was his best in years. Always dangerous and unpredictable, the fans just might go for a Golota-Peter clash and Don King may get his fighter what he wants. Aside from Drummond, I’d say Golota is the most likely to get the July date with Peter.
Wouldn’t it be kind of ironic if Andrew Golota beat Peter in July, thus putting yet another spanner in the works for the big fight with Vitali Klitschko!?