Samuel Peter vs. Vitali Klitschko explained

Fight Name:Dangerzone
Fight Date:11 October 2008
Location:O2 World, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Titles:WBC Heavyweight Championship
Fighter1: Samuel Peter
Nickname1:"The Nigerian Nightmare"
Hometown1:Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Record1:30–1 (23 KO)
Height1:6 ft 2 in
Weight1:254 lb
Style1:Orthodox
Recognition1:WBC
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
Fighter2: Vitali Klitschko
Nickname2:"Dr. Ironfist"
Hometown2:Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
Record2:35–2 (34 KO)
Height2:6 ft 7 in
Weight2:274 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:WBC
Heavyweight "Champion Emeritus"
Result:Klitschko wins via 8th-round RTD

Samuel Peter vs. Vitali Klitschko, billed as Dangerzone, was a professional boxing match contested on 11 October 2008, for the WBC heavyweight championship.[1]

Background

After winning the WBC title against Oleg Maskaev, Samuel Peter entered into negotiations for a mandatory defence against former champion Vitali Klitschko, who was returning from an almost four year retirement. Klitschko had been set for a tune up bout with Jameel McCline in September 2007 before a back injury forced him to withdraw. In May 2008 an agreement was reached for the two to face off at O2 World Berlin in October.[2] Peter's only previous defeat came at the hands of Vitali's younger brother Wladimir in September 2005.[3] [4]

As his brother had also become a Heavyweight champion during his absence from the ring, Vitali was hoping to become part of the first pair of brothers to hold versions of the heavyweight title simultaneously.[5]

Speaking to the tabloid newspaper Bild in the build up to the bout, Klitschko said "I'm still the same Vitali. I'm ambitious, mentally strong and hard working. It's not really a comeback for me, more like a fight between two world champions after injury."[6] [7] [8]

Klitschko was the 1 to 4 on favorite to win.

The fight

Klitschko dominated the bout, utilising his left jab and landing powerful hooks to Peter's body and head. The much younger Peter kept a tight defensive stance and did manage to land a number of solid body shots on Klitschko however he wasn't able to consistently get inside Klitschko's massive reach. At the end of the eighth round Peter informed his corner that he did not want to continue, making Klitschko a two time Heavyweight Champion (three time if the then lightly regarded WBO belt is included). At the time he trailed on all three scorecards with two scoring it a 80–72 shutout and the other had it 79–73 giving Peter one round.[9] [10] [11]

Aftermath

Vitali's victory meant that between himself and his brother, they held three of the four major title belts, with only the WBA title (held by Nikolai Valuev) left.[12] The WBC would order Vitali to make the first defence of his second reign as Heavyweight Champion against former WBC Cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gómez, who had won a "final eliminator" in September against Vladimir Virchis.[13]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[14]

Broadcasting

align=center Countryalign=center Broadcaster
RTL
RTL Klub
Setanta Sports[15]
Showtime

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vitali Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter . boxrec.com . BoxRec . 15 March 2024.
  2. Web site: Associated Press . October-fest: Klitschko's comeback fight vs. Peter finalized . espn.com . ESPN . 15 March 2024 . 22 August 2008.
  3. Web site: Klitschko return confirmed . skysports.com . Sky Sports . 15 March 2024 . 22 August 2008.
  4. Web site: Tim Smith . Samuel Peter has heavy grudge vs. Vitali Klitschko . nydailynews.com . New York Daily News . 15 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081009163354/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/10/07/2008-10-07_samuel_peter_has_heavy_grudge_vs_vitali_.html . 9 October 2008 . 7 October 2008.
  5. Web site: William Dettloff . Can Sam Peter still be a great heavyweight? . espn.com . ESPN . 15 March 2024 . 9 October 2008.
  6. Web site: Klitschko - Same old Vitali . skysports.com . Sky Sports . 15 March 2024 . 10 October 2008.
  7. Web site: . Boxing: Klitschko faces battle with body as well as Peter . independent.co.uk . The Independent . 15 March 2024 . 11 October 2008.
  8. Web site: Kevin Mitchell . Peter could have to pay heavy price for fighting Vitali . theguardian.com . The Guardian . 15 March 2024 . 28 September 2008.
  9. Web site: . Klitschko pounds Peter to come back at the top . theguardian.com . The Guardian . 15 March 2024 . 13 October 2008.
  10. Web site: PAUL F. VILLARREAL . Vitali Klitschko Destroys Sam Peter, Silences Critics . bleacherreport.com . Bleacher Report . 15 March 2024 . 13 October 2008.
  11. Web site: Powerful Klitschko reclaims title . bbc.co.uk . BBC . 15 March 2024 . 12 October 2008.
  12. Web site: Josh Widdicombe . Klitschko reclaims WBC title on return . theguardian.com . The Guardian . 15 March 2024 . 12 October 2008.
  13. Web site: . WBC orders Klitschko to make first title defence . theguardian.com . The Guardian . 15 March 2024 . 7 November 2008.
  14. Web site: BoxRec - event.
  15. Web site: Pat Meyler . Klitschko power won't fade away . independent.ie . Irish Independent . 15 March 2024 . 11 October 2008.