Wayne McCullough - Sky Sports Expert

Many happy returns

Klitschko reaches near-perfection as Peter fades badly

Posted: 14th October 2008 07:49

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Samuel Peter v Vitali Klitschko celeb

Klitschko: winning return

Vitali boxed tall, picking shots and wasn't too concerned about getting the knockout. While he'd had a long lay-off he was the one who looked like the more active and sharper boxer.

Wayne McCullough
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Vitali Klitschko returned to the ring last weekend, after a four-year break, to challenge for Samuel Peter's WBC heavyweight title.

Klitschko was recognised as the WBC's Champion Emeritus having retired as Champion in 2005 due to an injury.

Peter's only loss was to Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali's younger brother, back in September 2005 but he has improved a lot since that fight.

Would Klitschko have enough endurance for this fight after his long lay-off? Would Peter be able to continue to improve enough to defeat Klitschko? The answer to these questions could've been the key in a long fight.

We know Klitschko has better skills and hits hard. Peter also hits hard but has limited boxing skills.

It was expected be an exciting fight in which either fighter could be knocked out - and this was supposed to be one of the best heavyweight match-ups in a long time.

From the opening bell Peter continually got hit with three and four-punch combinations and his eyes were swelling from about the fifth round on. Vitali was scoring with shots round after round wearing Peter down.

Schooling

Known as possibly the best heavyweight in the world alongside Wladimir, Peter used no head movement and got caught with Vitali's left jabs all night long - a basic punch. He never caught on to it although his head got knocked back almost every time.

The clean boxer, Klitschko, was schooling his younger opponent who was looking for the one big shot to end the fight but it never came and never looked like it was coming either.

Peter, who seemed content to follow Vitali around the ring, didn't know how to cut off the ring and Vitali kept moving to his left onto Peter's right hand - but the right hand wasn't being thrown.

Vitali boxed tall, picking shots and wasn't too concerned about getting the knockout. While he'd had a long lay-off he was the one who looked like the more active and sharper boxer.

After eight rounds, Peter told his corner that he was done, giving Vitali the win making him and Wladimir the first brothers to hold championship titles at the same time.

Klitschko fought a well-executed, near perfect fight in what turned out to be an easier-than-expected return to the ring.

Comments

Matt Tebbett says...

It was a lot easier for Klitschko than I expected, mainly due to the fact I wasn¿t sure if his body would hold up given all his injuries to twelve gruelling rounds. His young brother is the better boxer (when he chooses to be), but Vitali does the basics very well and there is something to be said for that I think. Peter was perfect for Vitali's return, his slow footwork, lack of real speed and agricultural boxing skills meant it was a pretty easy night Vitali as he could just pepper him with jabs and crosses (to be honest very basic stuff) which I think says more about how poor Peter was rather than how great Vitali was/is. I would have like to have seen Peter set a faster pace and backing Klitschko up so he had to work for 3 minutes a round on the back foot as much as possible, instead he just played his part in the precession of Klitschko's re crowning, in my opinion Peter needs lose a stone and become a more mobile heavyweight as he does posses power although I think he will always be a dangerous fringe contender and no more. I think if the Klitschko brothers can be active and hold half of the heavyweight championship each I don¿t think it¿s a bad thing, the division lacks depth and also decent American heavyweights (which the TV networks over there would lap up and would reignite the division). From a British perspective David Haye could breath life into the division which has too many hangers on way past their prime. Haye could do a Gurov on Wladmir but maybe not on Vitali. Finally the WBC's scoring policy doesn¿t work for me, fighters have enough to deal with and think about without having the pressure of the scores eating away at them, I like the idea as it does give clarity however I don¿t think it works.

Posted 12:49 15th October 2008

Keith Smith says...

The fact a fighter who has not boxed in four years due to injury can dominate the fight in a manner as Klitshcko did and win not only shows the weakness of heavyweight boxing but boxing as a whole. The brothers should be made to fight to unify the belts and if they refuse stripped of their titles for refusing their best, if only, contenders.

Posted 04:12 15th October 2008

Phil Hindle says...

I agree! I mean, would the Klitschko's stand a chance in the division alongside the likes of Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis? I doubt it. Bring on the "Hayemaker" to sort 'em out!

Posted 19:02 14th October 2008

Michael Ahern says...

Vitali is the only good thing about the heavyweight division these days and im glad to see him back. I can not see anyone in the weight division getting near him and if he stays fit he will rule for years to come. I know Haye is up and coming in the division and im a fan of his but I just can not see him living with Vitali who has power speed and a very good boxing brain.

Posted 13:56 14th October 2008

Aaron Cooper says...

I agree entirely. Gone are the days off holyfield, lewis and the tyson of old. I want to see Haye get in the ring with these bums. Yes his chin is suspect buthis power is gonna blow these guys clean out of the ring.

Posted 11:31 14th October 2008

Hazza Shah says...

this just shows the poor state of heavy weight boxing

Posted 09:42 14th October 2008

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