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by David P. Greisman - What was old looked new again. What was now new looked old.
There was Vitali Klitschko, whose heavyweight bandwagon had broken down long ago, steamrolling his opponent as if his four years on the sideline had been but a pit stop. And there was Samuel Peter, a locomotive who once appeared unstoppable, derailed before he could even get on track, motionless, out of steam.
After eight rounds, two truths were evident: Vitali had found vitality; Samuel had met the Peter Principle.
Klitschko had retired in 2005 as the heir apparent gone absent, the man thought ready to carry boxing’s marquee division after Lennox Lewis retired. He had seemed the preeminent candidate, having slugged it out with Lewis in June 2003 for six rounds. That he lost mattered not; he had fought valiantly despite gaping cuts around his eyes, and he had protested vehemently when told he could not continue.
But before the torch could be passed, Klitschko needed to show his fire. His next fight saw him knock out Kirk Johnson in less than two rounds. He called for a rematch with Lewis, but the champion called it a career. [details]
There was Vitali Klitschko, whose heavyweight bandwagon had broken down long ago, steamrolling his opponent as if his four years on the sideline had been but a pit stop. And there was Samuel Peter, a locomotive who once appeared unstoppable, derailed before he could even get on track, motionless, out of steam.
After eight rounds, two truths were evident: Vitali had found vitality; Samuel had met the Peter Principle.
Klitschko had retired in 2005 as the heir apparent gone absent, the man thought ready to carry boxing’s marquee division after Lennox Lewis retired. He had seemed the preeminent candidate, having slugged it out with Lewis in June 2003 for six rounds. That he lost mattered not; he had fought valiantly despite gaping cuts around his eyes, and he had protested vehemently when told he could not continue.
But before the torch could be passed, Klitschko needed to show his fire. His next fight saw him knock out Kirk Johnson in less than two rounds. He called for a rematch with Lewis, but the champion called it a career. [details]
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