Samuel Peter vs. Vitali Klitschko

Dangerzone
Date11 October 2008
VenueO2 World, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Title(s) on the lineWBC Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer Nigeria Samuel Peter Ukraine Vitali Klitschko
Nickname "The Nigerian Nightmare" "Dr. Ironfist"
Hometown Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
Pre-fight record 30–1 (23 KO) 35–2 (34 KO)
Age 28 years, 1 month 37 years, 2 months
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight 254 lb (115 kg) 274 lb (124 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBC
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight		 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

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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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Confirmed bouts:[14]

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
 Germany RTL
 Hungary RTL Klub
 Ireland &  United Kingdom Setanta Sports[15]
 United States Showtime

References

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