It has been quite some time since we had a heavyweight match that has really meant something as far as points standings are concerned, but in a week’s time two of the strongest and most powerful heavyweights that we are going to encounter in today's rankings, square off in what is sure to be a curious affair.  

Four years ago, Wladimir Klitschko had the world at his feet; tall, Olympic Gold medalist, a once beaten record, and a cover boy body that could adorn any men’s fitness magazine. In addition, he was articulate and had the dimensions that could allow him to box that 6 ft plus frame into positions to land the most punishing of left hooks I had seen since Mike Tyson’s first reign a decade earlier. 

How much has changed? Well, Wladimir has lost the belt that made him most marketable; he has had two additional losses that may have taken some luster away from the feller’s aura, and he has not shined as he once did in quite some time.  

The belt was arrested from Wlad by Corrie Sanders, a renowned power puncher who jumped on Wlad from the off, in a similar way he did Rahman. That situation really can happen to anybody, Lennox fell to McCall & Rahman, Tyson fell to Holyfield and Douglas, and many champions through time have fallen via the same route. Does that mean Wladimir is fragile or chinny? It is not a thorough measure, to be honest, most heavyweights that I have spoken to say that Klitschko is one of the more all-around solid boxers out there. Still, a thought that is seconded by his new charge hand Manny Steward, who honestly believes that his fighter is at his best when there is a challenge at the table and in Samuel Peter there truly is a Challenge.  

Samuel Peter has rushed through the ranks in his five years as a paid fighter by steadily knocking everyone aside, maybe not the same caliber of opposition that Wlad has been hanging with, but still, he has earned his stripes so far and is in the mix, untested or not. It is the rising contender against the dangerous former champion. 

The unknown areas of both men’s capabilities as they stand today are what make this meeting so mouth-watering. In 2000 both men shared a few days sparring in Las Vegas, which I had the pleasure of witnessing. However, I don’t really see anything you can draw from that, Klitschko was preparing for a championship defense against Charles Shufford and Samuel was merely taking baby steps out of the unpaid ranks when their ships first crossed. Yet, these two are completely different men today than they were back then and it is only through looking at the way they box at their best and worst that we are going to find any indication of how this meeting of Juggernauts is going to turn out. One common bond is Charles Shufford. 

Charles has met and lost to both; most recently on points to Samuel. Charles reckons that Klitschko hits a lot harder and faster, yet Samuel is the more on form of the two as we speak. It all comes down to who shows up on the evening; If the Wladimir of his first reign pulls on his fight face for Peter it may be truly a different story; many say Peter is a heavyweight balloon waiting to be burst by the first stiff test he encounters . Samuel has shown 'Tysonesque' flashes, yet so did Shannon Briggs going into a fight with an unknown New Jersey fighter named Darroll Wilson who exposed Shannon’s capabilities in 9 minutes, knocking the Brooklyn swagger out of Briggs via KO. 

Peter can also labor and look out of sorts when he can’t get shut of a stubborn opponent like Shufford for example, he isn't going to be able to tear everyone up and has to be prepared to employ a secondary set of tactics. I saw the look Castillo had when he came face to face with Klitschko in the ring. Eliseo Castillo, younger of the Castillo brothers, was pumped up and ready to go until he placed his eyes on Wlad’s dimensions in the flesh, only moments before hand-to-hand combat with the Russian. Wlad took the wind right out of Castillo’s sails in what was his last decent outing, collapsing the unbeaten Cuban without much trouble. 

All speculation aside if you honestly think Wlad is done, to what extent is he done?  If you are banking on Samuel’s power, you are basing it against a row of heavyweights who aren't nearly in this opponent’s class. If either man lands early it could be curtains, but if goes into deeper waters who will be eating waves?  It’s a hell of a match up!