By Frank Lotierzo 

When Samuel Peter 24-0 (21) and Wladimir Klitschko 44-3 (40) meet in their upcoming IBF title elimination bout Saturday night, I suggest anyone going to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to see the fight, get there early. This is one fight where being fashionably late could easily result in the fight being over when you arrive.

Look for Peter to come right out at the opening bell and try to make it a war. If for some reason Peter doesn't make this a street-fight from the onset, someone in his corner did a bad job preparing him and will have some explaining to do. The reality is, Samuel Peter can't out box Wladimir Klitschko and won't win if he doesn't knock him out.

The downside of Peter jumping right on Klitschko is, he'll be attacking a fighter who will be fighting for his ring life. One who realizes losing probably signifies the end of his career. It was only a few years ago Wladimir Klitschko was the fighter HBO was promoting as the fighter who would succeed Lennox Lewis as the next champion. This started shortly after he scored a one-sided decision over current IBF champ Chris Byrd in October 2000.

Klitschko had size and strength along with legitimate knockout power in both hands. Wladimir put his punches together with fluidity and was very effective hooking off of his left jab to his opponents body and head. Which enabled him to get inside on his opponent while at the same time making it harder for them to avoid getting into exchanges with him.

The thought of Wladimir Klitschko being the next heavyweight great ended when he was stopped in March 2003 by the hard hitting and quick-handed southpaw, Corrie Sanders. Against Sanders, Klitschko went down four times, but to his credit kept getting up. The stoppage loss to Sanders resulted in most boxing insiders, with good reason, to begin questioning his chin and toughness. However, Wladimir wasn't totally written off by them until current WBO Champ Lamon Brewster stopped him in the fifth round 13 months later.

For Klitschko, who won a Gold Medal in the Super heavyweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics, his fight with Samuel Peter is the biggest fight of his career. In truth, his career hinges on the outcome. It doesn't take a hard core boxing observer to figure out Klitschko hasn't come close to redeeming himself since being stopped by Sanders and Brewster. Although a win over Peter will drastically change that. Which no doubt had everything to do with the reason Klitschko-Peter was made. The manner in which Klitschko lost to Brewster has caused many to disregard what took place during the first four rounds of the fight.

Brewster had to survive a vicious offensive assault before stopping Klitschko. How many other top ten heavyweights fighting today would've remained upright after the pounding Brewster took before the fight ended? A thrashing only rivaled by the one Tommy Morrison dealt Ray Mercer before he was stopped in the fifth round in 1991.  Remember, to exploit Wladimir's stamina and suspect chin, his opponent will have to withstand a furious two handed assault from him. That said, make no mistake, Wladimir Klitschko needs a big win over a fighter considered to be a legitimate title threat, or his career is over.

Enter 24 year old Nigerian heavyweight contender Samuel Peter. Since his pro-debut in February 2001, Peter has won 21 of his 24 fights by knockout. He's demonstrated that he has legitimate knockout power in both hands. Something that a fighter is blessed with at birth. It can't be taught or learned, punchers are born. For Peter, winning the fight by decision isn't even an option. His ascend to title contender has drawn comparisons to a young and upcoming Mike Tyson, circa 1985-86. Although Peter isn't as fast or skilled as Tyson, it's certainly not a reach to envision him being physically stronger and mentally tougher.  Something else Peter may share with Tyson is, if he turns out to be the real deal, he couldn't arrive at a better time in the heavyweight division. The thing he has in his favor is there isn't one upper-tier heavyweight fighting today, including WBC champ Vitali Klitschko, who the quasi boxing fan even slightly cares about. 

To date, Peter hasn't yet faced a ranked heavyweight. Nor has he been in with a smart boxer who could extend him or a puncher who could test his chin. Another question about Peter, although I doubt it'll be answered in this fight, pertains to his stamina. Personally, I'd like to see whether or not he carries his power in the later rounds? 

The biggest question that is always an issue for any up and coming fighter, regardless of their weight, pertains to their resolve and toughness. Every fighter is a world-beater when things are going his way. What he does and how he reacts when faced with adversity is what will ultimately define him. Often times writers and fans forget when they become enamored with a puncher, is that punchers aren't always the bravest fighters around. Peter doesn't project himself as a fighter who harbors self doubt and fear like Tyson did when he encountered stern resistance. That said, until he actually shows he's not undone by it, it's impossible to say how he'll handle it.

Here's why Peter-Klitschko can't go long - because each fighter knows for certain what the other is thinking. A lot of times you'll hear that from both fighters before the fight, but this time it's a given. Evidenced by the fact Wladimir Klitschko, at least outwardly, asked for this fight. Although, I can't help thinking that he may have been pressured to either step up or take his services else where, but I don't know that to be the case. Either way, it can only work to Wladimir's advantage. Especially with him viewed as a fighter who enters the ring with a shattered psyche. Something I'm sure those close to Peter will keep reminding him.

By Wladimir calling out Peter, he may have done two things. Maybe his seemingly confident demeanor threw the Peter camp a little, causing them to question whether or not Klitschko really does have some ring trepidation? The other thing is, although it's not a given: Is if Klitschko really did handle Peter when they sparred - It sends a message, "I may harbor some doubt entering the ring, but I don't against you." Again, it may not even faze Peter. I get the feeling Peter doesn't give a dam about Wladimir Klitschko or that it's been reported he used to get the better of him when they worked with each other in the ring. Whatever happened when they sparred a fews years back won't have any bearing on who wins on September 24, 2005.

There's only one angle to approach this fight from the Peter camp. That is we're fighting a guy who is a big target, who's been devastated in two of his last five fights and knows it can very well happen to him again. Especially against fearless banger like our guy. Regardless of what Klitschko or Emmanuel Steward have been saying, Peter's corner will be doing all they can to instill in him that Wladimir fears going to war with him. Believe me, Peter will be sent out to go get Klitschko in the first round. With the goal being, if he doesn't knock him out, at the worst, Wladimir goes back to his corner thinking to himself that his fears and doubt were well founded.

In Wladimir's corner waiting for him will be hired gun and quick-fix trainer/advisor Emmanuel Steward. Steward knows that if Wladimir gets tug with a big shot, he can't submit and stop fighting. By doing this, Steward knows that conveys to Peter that Wladimir doesn't believe he can beat him by fighting him. Meaning Klitschko may try to box and win the fight from the outside, hoping to extend it to see what kind of stamina Peter has. With the hope being that Peter tires and he can start to unload with his finishing punches as the fight progresses.

I have a suspicion the more Peter senses Klitschko wants to box instead of fight, the harder he'll try to make him fight. If this happens, Klitschko will have no choice but to try and fight him off to keep from being steam rolled. This is when Peter's chin will have to stand up to a big puncher who'll be fighting for his ring life and career. The bottom line is, both fighters are going to find each other with their Sunday best.

This fight won't be decided by the better pitcher, it's pretty much known by those who closely follow the sport that both fighters can throw. What this fight will come down to is who's the better catcher. I seriously doubt boxing ability or ring genius will have a say in the outcome of Klitschko vs. Peter. If you're Samuel Peter, you must take it too Wladimir Klitschko early to find out about his toughness and psyche. In the process, you'll also find out about your own.

On September 24th, I suggest anyone going to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to see the fight,  get there early. You won't be staying late.