Raw Power-Raw Rusty

My hands are locked up together; my knees are stuck to the ground as my heart ascends to the realm of possibilities in prayer mood for our beloved Samuel Okon Peter. Later tonight Samuel Peter (30-1, 23 KO’s) as we all know will be up against Vitali “Dr.Iron Fists” Klitschko, in far away Berlin, Germany.

One fact is clear both men are respected pugilist who dominated the heavyweight class at different times. Different times? Yes!!
There was the era of Vitali Klitschko and now the era of Samuel Peter. During the era of Vitali Klitschko, he fought gallantly against Lennox Lewis and only lost because of the injury he sustained during the fight. After that encounter the Ukrainian boxer earned respect. He later fought against some boxers who in my opinion, were not as strong as he was. He also fought against reputable opponent like Danny Williams, Corrie Sanders and out of shaped Kirk Johnson. The fights were to me, meant for Klitschko to recover effectively after he lost to Lewis. They all happened in 2004.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Nightmare has been active since January 22, 2004. He has fought fourteen times and the only loss was to the younger Klitschko. He has had 106 rounds of pure boxing and that’s top class. “On March 3rd 2008, he stopped the very stoppable Oleg Maskaev in Cancun, Mexico. After an interesting six rounds in which Samuel demonstrated focus and resolve, things exploded in that round and the hard hitting Nigerian ended matters decisively with a number of cancussive shots to the Big O’s head driving him to the corner and forcing a halt to matters at the 2.56 mark”. (Ted Sares).

In addition to that, it’s clearly obvious that the Akwa Ibom born fighter has no stamina issues, his chin is not that exposed or better still not too weak. He showed that when he fought against Jameel “Big Time” McCline. For a man that weighs 250 pounds, it was a pure champion’s stuff to have come off three knock down to pull off a victory. The Nigerian Nightmare possesses the special ingredient of a great champion and he has continued to show tremendious improvement with every fight, he possesses the potential of a true heavyweight champion.

Meanwhile, the erudite Klitschko was known for his decisive style. He moves like a robot and has a strong fist. A fearless fighter, with good reach. An experienced pugilist who is trying to gain relevance at a time, I think he should retire into politics. The Ukrainian last fought in 2004, when he announced his comeback he was faced with series of injuries that ensured he stayed away from scheduled bouts. If Klitschko was up against any other boxer in the category it would have been understanding, given the caliber of fighters flaunting their stuff around.

Historically, boxers who have come off retirement to face active boxers have lost, some were ruthlessly dealt with, examples abound. Maskaev was obviously rusty as I opined back then. Sugar Ray Leonard saw hell in the hands of Hector Comacho, Ali lost to Holmes and the list goes on. Historically I can conveniently say Klitschko will lose this one but when you consider that Henry Maske came off a long retirement and defeated America’s Virgil Hill, you can’t help but be economical with predictions. It’s really close. When both men step’s out tonight, I foresee raw power up against raw rusty, you can’t pack a car for four years and think it will remain the same. Wear and tear would have taken it's turn.

I join millions of Nigerians all over the world to pray for Samuel Peter and wish him all the best.

Klitschko-Peter

My prediction came to pass. The Russian Giant demonstrated a great
deal of improvement and indisputably deserves to win. The 35-year-old Valuev eventually won
the fight 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113 according to the three judges, despite the contest
initially being declared a split decision,due to a mistake by the announcer. He replaces
the injured Ruslan Chagaev as WBA champion."I am pleased to have won the title back again," said the Russian.
Meanwhile, my attention has unquestionably shifted to the Samuel Peter-Vitali Klitschko
fixture. It was actually anticipated given the fact that Samuel (30-1,23KO’s) “The Nigeria
Nightmare” Peter is a champion that seeks for activity. The title fight will be Vitali
Klitschko's (35-2, 34, KO’s) first since he announced his comeback last year. He has not
been healthy enough to fight since then.My only fear is that,he might be in for a
shock,stepping into the ring with a nightmare after a long lay off may not be the best
idea,he might just be in for his worst nightmare.However, The venue of the battle will be
in Berlin,Germany.
Yea;Germany. How many boxers got result from Germany in the last ten year against German
favourites. That’s one question. The second one is; can Samuel Peter come out of this
asvictor. Considering the fact, that when he fought against Jameel “BigTime" McCline, a taller opponent he was floored three times. The truth it is that it is
difficult to get result out of Germany, when fighting against German based boxers.
Furthermore, it is vital to point out some errors that The Nigerian committed during his
fight with McCline and Oleg “Big O” Maskaev. He usually attacks with his big right hand and
each time he does so, the left hand is left in active, this was why McCmline could catch
him on his chin and eventually dropped him three times.
Against Maskaev, until he got the knock victory in round six, he usually stood in front of
Maskaev as if he wanted to shake hands with him but he was essentially looking for a knock
out,he got in that instance. Having said that, this time he is up against an experienced boxer, who in his prime proved
he was a force to reckon with. The Ukrainian pugilist is experienced, a hard puncher and above all very intelligent. This
time out, The 27 year old, Akwa Ibom Born pugilist can’t afford to make any silly mistake.
The erudite Klitschko has maintained that he knows what to do when he faces Smuel Okon
Peter, come October 11, 2008 in Berlin, Germany, "Samuel Peter is an exceptionally
dangerous puncher who has already beaten some worthy opponents," Klitschko said in a
statement distributed by RTL. "I know that it will be a very tough fight, I will reach my
dream of winning the world championship for the third time and being champion at the same
time with my brother." Those words are words of absoluteness yet you can’t take anything
away from the most active and most exciting heavyweight champion(Samuel Peter).
Dr.Iron Fist’s(as he popularly referred to by his fans)dream may well be a mirage
considering the fact that, the hard punching Nigerian has recruited boxer the height of
Klitschko as sparing partners and remains determined to retain his title. "For me there is no doubt at all. I will defend my title. Klitschko is experienced and a
very difficult opponent but I am younger and better. I will beat him and then his brother
Wladimir - I have an old account to settle," Peter said.
As we count down to this would be exciting encounter, my only worry is, and that klitschko
would not develop another injury. The second is that the judges would be true to fact. Both
men are skilled, they are both hard punchers, but this fight would be won long before they
dance under the flood light; the hungrier man will carry the day.