History in Cancun turned out to be a historic event. It was a boxing show of top class quality. When Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter stepped out of his dressing room, he looked serious and focused. He was obviously battle ready. Then followed Oleg “The Big O” Maskaev, he looked fit and determined as ever. As the pre fight ritual got underway, my heart began to beat faster; it became obvious that the fight has consumed me. I had to leave my seat for some glass of water. By the time I returned, the moment of distinction had began.
The first round saw two cautious men who knew what one punch could do. I saw a Maskaev who was under pressure and was depending on his foot work. On the other hand Samuel Peter was looking for a knockout, so much so he never entertained anybody. For him, it was a knock out or nothing. When the first round was over, it was, Samuel Peter’s round because he was able to land some jabs with the left hand. The second round was almost the same, except for some quick jabs by Samuel Peter; both men were obviously sizing each other up. By the third round, the tactics of both fighters were clear. Oleg Makaev wanted to take Samuel Peter into the late round with hope he will tire along the line while Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” was out to do all he can to ensure the fight ends in a knockout. The fifth and sixth round was the best of all the rounds. In round five, The Russian born American fighter came out smoking, he rocked Samuel Peter who also countered the move but it was clearly a Maskaev round. But its also worthy of note that by the fifth round, Samuel Peter was leading on points, as he clearly landed some punch to the head of Makaev. Then came the sixth round, the sweetest of them all. The Akwa Ibom born pugilist caught Oleg Makaev with a left hook that shock him off balance, he followed it with a beautiful combination of both hands, by the time the referee stepped in Peter had unleashed thirteen shots on Maskaev, who clearly was out. Like a dream, my childhood wish that a Nigerian would one day become World Heavy Weight Champion had been realized. It was a sweet victory for Samuel Peter, Nigeria and the whole of Africa. During the cause of the fight, Oleg Maskaev complained about been hit at the back of the head, that in my opinion occurred only once in round two.
Meanwhile, the victory of Samuel Peter has changed the face of the heavyweight class. The excitement we all crave for is here now. Those who watched the “unification” fight between Wladimir Klistchko and Sultan Ibragimov can attest that it was a dull fight, lacking the touch of a true championship bout. On the Maskaev-Peter fight, recall that in my previous writing I did say that Makaev is a little bit ring rusty. That was obvious, it was a bout between inform Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and the rusty Oleg “Big O” Maskaev. It was clearly a sweet Samuel Peter making history in Cancun, Mexico. The heavyweight class is now reshaped, no longer the dominance of Russians but the dread of the Nightmare from Nigeria.
Having said that, it is important to note that Samuel Peter’s next opponent should be Vitali Klistchko but instead, I foresee a unification battle underway. The next time you see sweet Samuel Peter, he will be wearing the WBC heavyweight title, the same belt “The great one” Mohammed Ali wore. It was a nightmare for the Russian American.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
NOW OR NEVER
March 2008, is no longer a longer a mystery date. It's a date of destiny and a date of confirmation. For Samuel "The Nigeria Nightmare” Peter it's a date with destiny but for Oleg Maskaev its a date to confirm him as the undisputed heavyweight champion. Just how ready are these two pugilists? Before I go on let me state that tomorrow is March 8th 2008. The city of Cancun in Mexico will for the first time witness the sweetest aspect of the sweet science. The actors on focus are two of the best heavyweight fighters in modern time.
Samuel Peter: He has undergone the longest training period of his life in preparing for this fight. A fight that is capable of listing his name, alongside names like Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and many more. He had really trimmed down ahead of the battle, he actually hired some trainers to help him deal with that. He needs to be in tip top shape to face a man like Maskaev who is a seasoned professional. He has also learnt a bitter lesson from the fight against Jameel McCline. In that fight Peter exhibited some element of amateurish skill, for instance each time he landed a right hand on McCline his left hand was left low, thereby making it possible for McCline to hit him on the chin and on three occasions he was dropped. McCline did not have the will and most importantly the skill to close the fight. Samuel gradually came back into the fight and showed that he has the will power to succeed. That day it became clear again that he also has a good left jab. He is physically intimidating but beyond physical strength, one factor that will play a vital role is mental alertness. Samuel can not afford to lose concentration; if he does Maskaev will be merciless.
Oleg Maskaev: He is one boxer that is not easily distracted. He is always focused and determined. The man possesses the will and the skill to dethrone any boxer. He may not have a heavy punching power like Samuel Peter, but he ensures that his opponents are hurt beyond imagination. Apart from the fight against Peter Okehlo, that was not impressive, all his fight is filled with drama. Just when you think that he is out, he bounces back with devastating hand speed combination. The man is fearless and has a never say die spirit.
However I have maintained that, Maskaev might just be a little bit rusty but age won't be a factor. The Russians seems to get better as they get older, any one counting age as a plus for Samuel had better drop it. The Russians have strong amateur background and they have one thing in common, they are physically strong. Another fact is, having not fought for long, he might be under pressure.
This is Samuel Peter's chance to wear that belt round his waist and become the undisputed heavyweight champion, it’s now or never. Yet if the truth must be told, Samuel "The Nigeria Nightmare” Peter is up against one hell of an opponent. The man who ensured that no American, is sighted in the heavyweight class, when he overwhelmingly dethroned Hasim Rahman. That not withstanding Samuel has all it takes to make sure that Maskaev's silence remains so.
The quest to be the world heavyweight is enough motivation for Samuel Peter. He should perform as he has boasted. If only he could land his right hand on Maskeav, it might just end earlier than we expect. Maskaev is massively focused and can defeat Peter but Peter knows that it's now or never for him. A lose will mean a long walk back to the top class, but a win will make him the biggest personality brand in boxing
Samuel Peter: He has undergone the longest training period of his life in preparing for this fight. A fight that is capable of listing his name, alongside names like Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and many more. He had really trimmed down ahead of the battle, he actually hired some trainers to help him deal with that. He needs to be in tip top shape to face a man like Maskaev who is a seasoned professional. He has also learnt a bitter lesson from the fight against Jameel McCline. In that fight Peter exhibited some element of amateurish skill, for instance each time he landed a right hand on McCline his left hand was left low, thereby making it possible for McCline to hit him on the chin and on three occasions he was dropped. McCline did not have the will and most importantly the skill to close the fight. Samuel gradually came back into the fight and showed that he has the will power to succeed. That day it became clear again that he also has a good left jab. He is physically intimidating but beyond physical strength, one factor that will play a vital role is mental alertness. Samuel can not afford to lose concentration; if he does Maskaev will be merciless.
Oleg Maskaev: He is one boxer that is not easily distracted. He is always focused and determined. The man possesses the will and the skill to dethrone any boxer. He may not have a heavy punching power like Samuel Peter, but he ensures that his opponents are hurt beyond imagination. Apart from the fight against Peter Okehlo, that was not impressive, all his fight is filled with drama. Just when you think that he is out, he bounces back with devastating hand speed combination. The man is fearless and has a never say die spirit.
However I have maintained that, Maskaev might just be a little bit rusty but age won't be a factor. The Russians seems to get better as they get older, any one counting age as a plus for Samuel had better drop it. The Russians have strong amateur background and they have one thing in common, they are physically strong. Another fact is, having not fought for long, he might be under pressure.
This is Samuel Peter's chance to wear that belt round his waist and become the undisputed heavyweight champion, it’s now or never. Yet if the truth must be told, Samuel "The Nigeria Nightmare” Peter is up against one hell of an opponent. The man who ensured that no American, is sighted in the heavyweight class, when he overwhelmingly dethroned Hasim Rahman. That not withstanding Samuel has all it takes to make sure that Maskaev's silence remains so.
The quest to be the world heavyweight is enough motivation for Samuel Peter. He should perform as he has boasted. If only he could land his right hand on Maskeav, it might just end earlier than we expect. Maskaev is massively focused and can defeat Peter but Peter knows that it's now or never for him. A lose will mean a long walk back to the top class, but a win will make him the biggest personality brand in boxing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)