The heavyweight class will erupt with solid excitement, when two former heavyweight champions clash in Berlin, for the vacant WBA title.
In their first meeting, it was Nikolay “The Russian Giant” Valuev that came out tops.This time is its going to be a battle of redefinition and a platform to stamp supremacy. The outcome of this encounter will reshape the structure of the heavyweight division. This is true when you consider that any of the man that comes out as winner will be the new WBA king. Before I continue let me refresh our memory. The battle for the WBA title became possible because Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev pulled out of his schedule title defense with Nikolay Valuev due to an injury he sustained during training. The WBA in a smart move named Chageav “Champion in Recess” and asked Nikolay Valuev, the number one contender to battle John “The quiet man” Ruiz. Note also that the winner of this bout will have to defend the title against Chagaev at least by mid next year.
However, closer looks at the fixture suggest to me that Valuev is favourite to win but in heavyweight boxing a punch can actually change predictions. The Russian pugilist is delighted that the fight would be staged in Germany. “I am happy my team won and the fight will be held in Germany. Berlin is a special place to me. That is where I defeated Ruiz in 2005 to become world champion. Fighting in Max Schmeling Halle again will be like home match”. The comment of the Russian Giant proves to me, that he is fired up ahead of the clash. This becomes true when you consider the fact that he had trained and prepared on two occasions for the title shot. This is not suggesting that Ruiz is not battle ready. He is an experienced boxer and understands what it takes to fight for a heavyweight crown. This underscores the reason behind tagging the fight “Berlin Cracker”. I believe it’s going to be an explosive encounter filled with all the ingredients of heavyweight boxing. So who will come out victorious? The answer is just a day away. A concise look at the gladiator may also provide some answers.
Nikolay Valuev: Nikolay “The Russian Giant” Valuev (48-1,34KO) is the tallest and heaviest boxer in today’s heavyweight category. Standing at 7ft and weighing 147kgs, he last fought on February 16th 2008, against Sergei Liakhovich and won by a convincing unanimous decision. By that victory the Russian pugilist became the number one contender for the title. In that bout the 7ft tall Valuev showed tremendous improvement, making sound use of his height and size. He kept his opponent at bay and made good use of his long range jabs, which proved vital to his victory over his opponent. In tomorrow’s encounter, I expect him to stick to the same game plan: use his jabs and ensure the opponent does not come inside to either work on his body or try to throw a surprise punch. I don’t really expect a knock out but in boxing someone may just pull a trigger and the unexpected will just happen.
John Ruiz: John “quiet man” Ruiz (43-7-1,29KO’s) a Puerto-Rican-American boxer, is a re-occurring name in WBA. A former heavyweight champion, he lost his title to Valuev when they first met in December, 2005. He is an experienced pugilist but has not earned the name he desires. This encounter, perhaps will grant him the much needed respect he seeks. In his last fight against Jameel “Big Time” McCline, he showed great skill, zeal, determination and experience. He comprehensively weighed down his opponent who incidentally caused a lot of problems for Nigeria’s Samuel Peter, the current WBC heavyweight champion. To this end both boxer will be stepping into that area as victors from their previous encounter. Another fact that should also be put under consideration is that both men want the title badly this I hope will translate into the cracker we all long for.
Pundits believe the Russian should have the upper hand but personally I think that the man with the stronger will, determination, skill and experience will carry the day. In all I expect a solid cracker: the Berlin Cracker.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
NIGHTMARE FOR OLEG MASKAEV
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.
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.
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