If this was the same Vitali Klitschko from four years ago I would pick him to beat Peter without hesitation. But he is now a 37 year old heavyweight who has not fought in four years. That changes things. What are his chances and how does his fight go with Peter?
Vitali could beat Peter with one hand tied behind his backand and patch over one eye standng on one leg
He will probably have to do something similar to that to pull out a victory with his broken down body. His left shoulder is going to go first, like in the Byrd fight, then one of his knees will sprain and finally his back might go as well.
My prediction:
As usual, training camp KO1 Vitali Klitschko.
The best bet is on a Vitali injury.
I also would not be surprised if Sam Peter gets DQ'd at some point of his career, he has gotten away with a lot.
This match-up is interesting on paper (could turn out to be not so interesting, like most heavyweight fights), Peter is a rough fighter, Vitali is a better one but he is now old and injured, coming off a near 4 year layoff straight into a world title fight.
It would be a major accomplishment if Vitali were to beat Peter, not because Peter is a great fighter but because it has never been done before or atleast in recent memory.
I know Leonard did come off a long layoff to win the middleweight title but he had one fight in between his retirement and the fight with Hagler.
Vitali could beat Peter with one hand tied behind his backand and patch over one eye standng on one leg
The best bet is on a Vitali injury.
I also would not be surprised if Sam Peter gets DQ'd at some point of his career, he has gotten away with a lot.
This match-up is interesting on paper (could turn out to be not so interesting, like most heavyweight fights), Peter is a rough fighter, Vitali is a better one but he is now old and injured, coming off a near 4 year layoff straight into a world title fight.
It would be a major accomplishment if Vitali were to beat Peter, not because Peter is a great fighter but because it has never been done before or atleast in recent memory.
I know Leonard did come off a long layoff to win the middleweight title but he had one fight in between his retirement and the fight with Hagler.
Vitali will KO Peter i say 3 rounds Wladimir nearly took Peter out with a left hook in the last few rounds of thier fight and mccline put him on his fat ass
If Vitali makes it to the ring, that means he's ready 100%, mentally and physically. Take the years of inactivity into the account, and you'll get about 75% of Vitali in his prime, which is more than enough to beat Peter, no matter what shape he's in.
an even older Maskaev had Peter all wobbly, and Im pretty sure even Jameel McCline is around 37 himself...and we know what happened there. I wouldnt be surprised at all if Vitali won.
still, Vitali is injury prone. so theres always a question mark there.
If this was the same Vitali Klitschko from four years ago I would pick him to beat Peter without hesitation. But he is now a 37 year old heavyweight who has not fought in four years. That changes things. What are his chances and how does his fight go with Peter?
** Vitali has a style that is very simple and doesn't really get rusty.
What is rusted is his body. I won't believe in him until he steps into the ring. Since he likely pulls out if injured, that will tell me he's fit and ready to go.
Peter reportedly may be in the shape of his flabby life. Might help him late rounds if it goes that far. Vitali's biggest strength has always been uncanny accuracy and steadiness. He's young enough to keep these attributes, but without proof, we can't say. What is clear is his motivation of being the first brother combo to hold simultaneous belts. He could easily stay retired.
I also wonder if he has an agreement with Lewis to come out of retirement if Vitali wins this fight. Stranger things have happened in boxing. It seems old guys are running the show these days. We shall see.
Recently reviewed the Vitali/Lennox bout. Very underrated classic. Had Vitali gone for it in the 4th, he'd have been the new champ. Never had to have a killer's instinct before since methodical beatdowns always worked in the past. Great comeback in the 6th for Lewis. Dirty, but effectively opened up Vitali that extra bit to get the stoppage.
Anyone noticed that Peter's promoters been feeding him a stack of injured, inactive heavies pushing their 40s since Wlad? Great work if you can get it, but his gravy train about ready to derail soon enough.
Huh?
much as I love to razz the Klitschko nuthuggers lets be real here.
Who has Peter beat?
Maskaev? woo hoo..
Man Jameel McCline had him down 3 times!
He couldn't hurt a blown up (albeit very slick) middle weigh in James toney in 24 rounds!
Vitali will expose Peter as the slow plodding clubbing underskilled fighter he is.
A great guy but NOT a great boxer. IMO.
Vitali is too far gone to beat Peter now. If he can make it to fight night without gettin injured and callin it off, good for him. But I think he'll get KO'd in this fight.
He's been gone a long time. If Peter can't beat Vitali at this point then he never was much. It's still a difficult fight to pick, but I'll say Peter by a late TKO.
It is, Scott. I don't think it will be as easy for Peter as a lot of people think. He has a lot of flaws that Vitali can exploit. Even if he happens to be 70 percent of the fighter he used to be.
If this was the same Vitali Klitschko from four years ago I would pick him to beat Peter without hesitation. But he is now a 37 year old heavyweight who has not fought in four years. That changes things. What are his chances and how does his fight go with Peter?
He's been gone a long time. If Peter can't beat Vitali at this point then he never was much. It's still a difficult fight to pick, but I'll say Peter by a late TKO.