WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO'S LAST STANCE

By Oleg Bershadsky

 

 

On September 24th in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Wladimir Klitschko will face the man who many see as the possible future of the heavyweight division, Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter. This fight is certainly important to both fighters, but for Klitschko it means the difference between perhaps another chance at the championship or facing the reality of having to retire from boxing. A win against Peter gives Klitschko back some credibility, and, at the very least gives him another shot at one of the top heavyweights; while a loss diminishes his status as a serious heavyweight contender even further. In short, this IBF and WBO Heavyweight title eliminator is a must win for Klitschko. 

For Peter, this fight represents the first real test of his potential to become the future of the heavyweight division. If he manages to beat Wladimir then Peter will transcend the invisible barrier that separates the prospects from boxers who have become serious heavyweight contenders. Peter’s potential accomplishments in the heavyweight division remain a question mark. He is a strong guy with an exciting style who has yet to fight an opponent who can seriously challenge him, an opponent who would make it possible for the fans to see what the Nigerian is really made of. Win or lose, it is important for Peter to put up a good fight and leave the fans with the desire to see him again. At this stage of his career a loss would not be as devastating for him as it would be for Klitschko, but I’m sure that Peter is approaching this fight with a must win attitude, as is Klitschko, and this should make for an exciting bout. 

Klitschko will certainly be the favorite to win the fight but as always doubts linger regarding his ability to take a punch and to fight at a heavyweight pace. These question marks with Peter’s hard punching and exciting style have the potential to make this a drama filled fight. That said, if Wladimir manages to stay out of harm’s way early on in the fight his chances of winning would increase dramatically. Considering his superior skill level, Wladimir should have no problem dominating Peter with accurate punching from the outside throughout the fight, providing he doesn’t punch himself out. While Peter is certainly an exciting fighter to watch his skill level still leaves a lot to be desired. His wild and sometimes reckless punching style may be exactly suited for Klitschko, who can exploit the numerous openings Peter is sure to provide him with.  

For Peter there is only one shot at winning and that is to make a real fight out of it. He certainly can’t outbox Klitschko and shouldn’t even attempt to do so. Instead, he should try to get in close any way possible and aim to test Wladimir’s suspect chin. My prediction is that after an energetic start Peter will eventually whither away in the middle rounds of the fight after failing to knock Klitschko out. I predict that Wladimir, on the other hand, will be extremely conservative but precise with his punches in the beginning stages of the fight. However, as the fight goes into the fifth round Klitschko will start letting his hands go more and if this happens it will only be a matter of time till Peter tastes the canvas. At the very least this fight is going to expose one of these boxers as either a legitimate contender or an over hyped boxer who may never live up to expectations. Now all that is left is to see who will walk away with the chance to shake up the heavyweight division. Let us hope that at least some questions regarding these two fighters will finally be answered.

9-20-2005

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. SAMUEL PETER AND MIGUEL COTTO VS. RICARDO TORRES will be broadcast exclusively by HBO BOXING AFTER DARK, SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

 



 


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