Wladimir Klitschko retains double world heavyweight crown

By Gareth A Davies, Boxing CorrespondentPublished: 11:03PM BST 11 Sep 2010
Champion: Wladimir Klitschko got the better of Samuel Peter in tenth round to retain belts Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Peter had floored the giant Ukrainian three times in their previous encounter five years ago, and won on points by Klitschko on that occasion, yet this was dominant display from the 34 year-old champion, who eventually battered the Nigerian to the canvas in the tenth round under a barrage of punches to continue his ownership of the World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation titles.
Peter’s heart was broken, his face a swollen mess, and his right eye almost closed. Klitschko may now go on to fight the winner of David Haye and Audley Harrison after their November 13 meeting. Challenger Peter was briefly in the running in the opening round, but Klitschko was even more aggressive in the second landing with several left-right combinations, hurting the Nigerian, who was warned for a low blow.
Peter looked unhappy on his stool coming out for the third round. Klitschko, 34, imposed himself and landed his jab and long straight right hand almost at will.
By the fifth, Peter’s eyes were beginning to close. Klitschko continued to wear Peter down as the African heavyweight threw himself forward, walking on to shots.
The younger of the Klitschko brothers landed a brutal uppercut in the sixth and by the eighth Peter looked a beaten challenger, fought desperately in the ninth, but by the tenth he was totally demoralised. Peter should probably have been pulled out earlier by his corner.
But this was another clinical performance from Klitschko, clearly the world’s No 1 heavyweight.

SUICIDE MISSION

Majority of Nigerians as at the last time I checked and even a cross section of boxing fans around the globe has written off what I think will be a tricky encounter. The Peter-Klitschko 2 is for me a very tricky encounter and one that I think will prove many critics wrong.
I have listened with avid interest to radio and television sports programmes, read sports pages of newspapers and none has spoken of this fight as a potential winner for the Nigerian Nightmare. Five years ago nobody gave him a chance against the erudite and athletic Wlad "Dr. Steel Hammer" Klitschko.(57:54-3;48KO’s) but on that occasion he knocked him down three times.
Aside the patriotic surge in my vein, I have been prudent enough to know that Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare"Peter (37:34-27,3K.O) can pull of a surprise (To those who don’t know the build up to this fight). Here is an improved Samuel Peter with what I think is a better team that has focus on the heavyweight title. Whether Samuel Losses this one or not you will agree with me that he has only lost to the best in the division and would remain a major factor in today’s heavyweight structure.
This is why I must say kudos to Samuel Peter (37:34-27,3K.O) who has shown the spirit of a great warrior by accepting to battle the erudite and very skillful Wladmir Dr.Steel Hammer" Klitschko.(57:54-3;48KO’s). Recall that Alex Povetkin has deliberately avoided the Ukrainian pugilist even though he is the number one contender to the IBF title. In the same wave David"Haye Maker" Haye has also technically slowed down from fighting either of the Klitschko’s since defeating John "The quiet man" Ruiz.
Who is the only boxer that has fought the Klitschko’s, the answer is simple It’s Nigeria’s Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter. You can’t run away from a battle that you expect to thrust you into the lime light you strongly desire. When he signed to fight Nagy Aguilera some thought it could prove to be a surprisingly difficult contest. Instead Peter weighed in his lightest, 237 and half pounds, he had not been that light since his seventh pro fight. He looked trim, toned and pretty fast. He finally let his hands go the way he used to and had Aguilera out of there in two rounds. This latest edition of Sam Peter may still be an unknown quantity until an accomplished and powerful heavyweight lands a punch on him, we won’t know how much punch resistance he has left after the Vitali Klitschko debacle. We also don’t know how he will deal with the pressure of another world title fight. Some pundits thinks he should have taken up more tune up fight before this one, yet you can’t rule out the powerful punch that the Nigerian carries. If can land any of those power punch on the Ukrainian that may be good night. Indeed nothing motivate Samuel Peter than being a heavyweight champion.
This version of Samuel Pater is much more like the one that knocked down "Dr.Steel Hammer" some year back. He was unknown, his strength was not on spot light and narrowly missed out on winning that bout based of lack of experience rather than the lack of courage. I also consider it difficult for non Europeans to get decision over German based boxers; I am at the brink of concluding that you have to kill a boxer to get a decision in Germany. This is why I asked if this should be christened Suicide Mission, maybe Samuel Peter has to do the unthinkable to come out tops.
A concise search light on both pugilists has shown that Wlad is a better fighter, and is favorite to win this one, he actually described the Nigerian as a Walking Corpse in one of the press conference. Yet "When two heavyweights with KO power meet you can never say either one can't win. There is always the puncher's chance but that is really the best chance Sam has. Wlad won the first fight and he is much better now. Sam may or may not be at his peak. If Wlad could beat Sam 5 years ago you have to think the new improved version should be able to do it again. There is no way that Sam can outbox Wlad but at least he is likely to be fit and give it a good try. Age will likely not be a factor. Sam is listed at 29 and Wlad at a peak 34. I think this fight will be much like the bout with Vitali only Sam will be more motivated. Wlad is better technically than Vitali and will probably control the fight with his jab much like his brother did until he lowers the boom somewhere around the eighth round. It should be good while it lasts".
Why Wlad is favourite to win from all stand point, there is a strong indication that this bout will not only be explosive it will expose to the world the weakness of the IBF heavyweight champion because Sam will be hard nut to crack.

David Remains King

Tonight at The M.E.N Arena in Manchester, WBA heavyweight champion David Haye successfully defended his belt for the first time, with a 9th-round TKO over an incredibly gutsy John Ruiz. The ending to the drama-filled fight came at 2-minutes and one-second of the 9th-round, as the challenger's trainer Miguel Diaz threw in the towel.29-year-old Haye is now 24-1(22). 38-year-old Ruiz, the former two-time WBA ruler, is now 44-9-1(30).Tonight's fight was a terrific action bout, and though Ruiz has given us his share of stinkers in the past, he deserves a huge amount of praise for the way he hung in there against the faster, harder-hitting Haye..The fireworks began in the very first round, as a sharp right hand from Haye went straight through the guard of Ruiz, dropping him with barely seconds gone. Looking badly hurt, Ruiz appeared to be on his way to an early, devastating loss. Haye followed up on the knockdown with more right hands, leaving Ruiz bent over the top rope. Excited, Haye was guilty of hitting Ruiz on the back of the head as he was bent over the ropes, and the referee, Guillermo Perez, docked the champion a point for the rabbit punches. Still, Ruiz was also given a second count, and the fight did seem to be all but over with.Amazingly, Ruiz fought back, even landing a late punch as the bell rang. A huge round for "The Hayemaker!"Ruiz was still pressing forward in the 2nd, and both men threw sharp left jabs. Another big right hand crashed into the Puerto Rican's head, but this time Ruiz took the shot well. Indeed, Ruiz showed both heart and an amazing chin tonight. It was another dominant round for the Londoner, but Ruiz did manage to clip his man with a left hand to the head.Haye scored with a left/right combo in the 3rd-round, and then with a right/left combination. Ruiz was still dangerous, as he showed with his own right hands, but Haye let loose with another big burst in the round. Once again, though, the older man's chin had the look of granite! Ruiz let loose with his own combination at the bell. Another round for the champion.Haye boxed well in the 4th-round, looking a little more patient than he had been before. Back-pedalling as the tank-like challenger advanced, Haye unloaded with fast shots. Ruiz had some success in this session, however, and the 4th was probably his best round of the whole fight.There was another big attack by Haye at the start of the 5th, as a right and a left slammed into Ruiz's head. His nose now badly bloodied, the 38-year-old former champ refused to stop chugging in. Then, seconds before the bell, another right hand put Ruiz down. The legal right hand was followed by another rabbit punch, and Ruiz again complained to the ref - but this time there was no deduction.The fight really had been a one-sided affair, and it was astonishing that the action was still ongoing as late as the 6th-round! Ruiz pressed in again, and Haye boxed and moved once more - until he scored with yet another big right hand, putting the challenger down again. Once more Ruiz complained of rabbit punching by Haye, and he was also looking busted up now. But he came firing back at the champion soon after his latest trip to the floor; prompting Haye to blast way, looking for the spectacular finish. There was also a brief time-out so the ref could replace Haye's mouth-piece, which had come loose during the hectic action. Another right hand scored for Haye, as did a big burst at the end of the exciting round.The 7th was a quieter round, with Haye content to jab and move as Ruiz advanced. Swollen under his left eye, Ruiz was nevertheless still game.A right uppercut scored for Haye in the 8th, and Ruiz was under fire again. A left hook and another right landed by "The Hayemaker," yet Ruiz was still showing the ability to take everything that was coming his way. A monstrous right hand crashed into the visiting warrior's head, yet still Ruiz came forward.The end came quite suddenly in the 9th-round. The session started off slowly, but then Haye exploded with a right and a left upstairs, finally convincing Diaz to rescue his fighter. There were no complaints from anyone; least of all the sell-out crowd. Having been treated to a great - if one-sided - action fight, no-one in the audience felt the need to boo!In short, Haye looked superb tonight. There was nothing wrong with his stamina, his speed or his brutal power. In becoming only the second man to have halted Ruiz, Haye made quite a statement. It will be most interesting to see who the exciting, charismatic Londoner fights next.As for Ruiz, he gave us arguably the most thrilling fight of his entire career in losing. Though the veteran will be unhappy at going home with a defeat, he can at least take some consolation in knowing how he gave the fans their money's worth.

This Article was written by James Slater

NIGERIA NIGHTMARE FACES THE NAGY TEST

March 12th 2010 will be an important date for boxing and boxing fans across the globe. The boxing fraternity will have the opportunity of knowing whether Nigeria’s Samuel Okon Peter (36-3,26KO’s) will bounce back for contention to win the world heavyweight title a second time. It will also be a formidable platform for Nagy Aguilera (15-2,10KO’s) to be taken seriously in today’s heavyweight class should he win. Recall that Aguilera defeated former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in round one to retire the former title holder. He is up against Samuel Peter who himself is a former title holder. The tendency is that the Dominican will be confident because he easily dismissed the BIG O.

Nagy is actually a fine boxer possessing the required attribute for today’s heavyweight boxing. He is all fired up for this one night and truly believes that he can win later today. He has said his technique will be to win by a decision, which means he plans to take the fight gradually by scoring points, he believes even at 240 pounds Samuel Peter will still be slow to move around and perhaps catch him with one of those big shots.

As a keen watcher of the sport, I still think the Nigeria’s best performance was against James Toney 2, he came in shape and really proved he could box. After losing to Vitali Klitschko amidst the psychological break down he suffered before that title fight, I think he did not get over those issues before jumping into the fixture with “Fast” Eddie Chambers.

All that is past now, he has joined forces with Top Ranks and has fought three times with journey men (Marcus McGhee, Ronald Bellamy and Gabe Brown) to enable him build his confidence and properly assess himself. A boxer in the class The Nigerian Nightmare should be fit for this fight or put differently he should by virtue of his experience know what it takes to prepare for an illusory bout like this one. He should not in anyway underestimate his opponent tonight and should also know that beyond this fight lies a possible big paydays and a heavyweight title shot and above all would put himself on history path. Furthermore, his teeming fans in his home town of Akwa Ibom State, Nigerians at large and across the globe are hoping that he get pass his younger opponent. He was at one point the opium of boxing in Nigeria, that feet can be regained by winning this one, especially in a spectacular fashion.

Meanwhile on paper Peter should win this one but anyone who saw his last three fights will still has severe reservations. “It may be that Peter was looking to get rounds in the bank, or it may be that he has lost his fire” Stated Bill Patrice Jones. I think contrary, I think the former Olympian used those bouts to knock himself into shape for some thing serious, billed as an IBF eliminator the Akwa Ibom born pugilist should leave no stone unturned and ensure he clinches this one.
Peter’s focus on weight loss is encouraging but should be matched with accurate technique (Good body and head movement. Avoid being stationary during fights) His ability to be on his toe against James “Lights out” Toney in their ten round encounter was priceless, the same condition (if he can attain that) would also prove to be priceless tonight. He definitely must be at his best to defeat the hungrier Aguilera. The Nigerian Nightmare must get pass the Nagy tes

SET UP OR STAND UP FOR SAMUEL PETER

It is common knowledge that Nigeria’s Samuel Peter (36-3,26KO’s) will square up against Nagy Aguilera (15-2,10KO’s). According to the usually accurate BoxRec.com, former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter will face young heavyweight Nagy Aguilera in an IBF elimination bout in Dallas on March 12th 2010, the night before the big Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey welterweight title clash. According to the invaluable web site, the heavyweight match-up will take place on the same card as the Rodel Mayol-Manuel Vargas WBC light-flyweight title fight.

That the former WBC heavyweight Champion will be stepping into the ring is actually a welcome development but doing so against the young Dominican/American who just finished off Oleg “Big O” Maskaev seem a bit complicating to me. Nagy Aguilera has a solid amateur background, a hard puncher and is very young. “Yeah, I'm real excited about it. I know I can beat him and I'm training hard to make sure I do that”. Such is the confidence of the young heavyweight who’s actually basking in the euphoria of his win over the aged Maskaev.
The Nigerian pugilist made a major mistake after his lose to Vitali “Dr. Iron Fist” Klitschko by taking on “Fast” Eddie Chambers, at that time Eddie Chambers was looking for a solid opponent to gain a title shot. That he has gotten now and would be facing Wladmir Klitschko on March 20th 2010 in Düsseldorf Germany. This is not ignoring the fact that Alex Povetkin is at this moment supposed to be the number one contender to the IBF title. The Nigerian Nightmare would have taken up tune up fights before facing Chambers and would have also used it as a platform for a title shot. That is all history now because He eventually lost, but most importantly the Samuel Peter Camp did not play the right politics.

Having moved to Top Ranks and got some tune ups, facing the young Nagy Aguilera will still be an uphill task but much more than that, it’s to be an IBF eliminator. The question now: is it that the winner of this bout will face the winner of Klitschko-Chambers or will the winner of Samuel Peter-Nagy Aguilera first face Alex Povetkin before a title shot is granted. While these twists still exist, on paper Samuel Peter should win this one. But sincerely that will depend on the weight of Samuel Peter. If our own Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter gets professional, listens to his trainer and come up with a game plan, he should be able to dismiss his opponent by the 6th round.

A critical look at this fixture shows its capable of casting a set back on the Nigerian’s quest to regain his title or better still become a two time world heavyweight champion should he lose this one. A win for Aguilera, will shoot him into spot light and will stand a chance of making big money in heavyweight boxing. With a big crowd expected in Dallas on the Friday night before the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet fights again, there should be plenty of fight hungry fans in attendance for the heavyweight rumble who are eager to find out who the pretender. Frankly it’s an important fixture for heavyweight boxing.It’s important to note that Nagy Aguilera has a game plan for this fight “Yeah, I'm training for a unanimous decision win. Like I say, if a KO comes, it comes. I won't be rushing in for a KO. I know he's an experienced guy and he knows how to survive. I want to beat him decisively, to make sure everyone knows my name. I know Peter weighs around 240 for a fight, but it doesn't matter what he weighs, he'll still be a mummy, he'll still be slow”. With this mentality from the young pugilist, I think this is more of a set up than a sent forth yet as a patriotic Nigerian; I want Samuel Peter to win and win well.