It’s Samuel Peter again for Wladimir Klitschko
Yet again boxing fans are reminded of the complete lack of depth in the heavyweight division as Wladimir Klitschko dips into his back catalogue in search of a contender and digs out Samuel Peter.
The return of “The Nigerian Nightmare” comes after the collapse of a prospective bout against IBF’s mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. Poor old Povetkin has been waiting years for this fight having lost his shot in 2008 through injury. The Russian is undefeated and would have been a decent challenge for “Dr Steelhammer”, however he failed to agree terms over the 15 day cut-off and the contract was given to the next ranked fighter, Peter, instead.
It would seem there are no worthy challengers for the IBF, WBO and IBO title holder and you almost start to feel sorry for the big man. Of course the enormous elephant in the room that needs to be addressed is a certain David Haye. Without going into the ins and outs this fight should have happened out of respect for boxing, respect for the fans and respect for their own legacies.
It would seem Klitschko was more up for it than Haye who maybe didn’t show respect to the old establishment as he tries to bypass the two long-standing kings of the division in the belief that he is now top dog.
The Ukrainian addressed the lack of their fight in a TV interview saying: "The actual question is whether he wants to fight us. He speaks a lot, saying 'yes, I want it'.
"But then the deal wasn't good enough, his shoes were too small, or his back was injured, or whatever else he is going to create. Unfortunately there is no action. I'm seriously disappointed by David Haye. It's not only his financial interests; there are boxing fans out there and he owes this fight to them especially.”
The Klitschkos have been around for a long time and have fairly or unfairly received a lot of criticism, but now they are reaching retirement age they are probably thinking about what they have achieved and would both surely want to go out having beaten a worth challenger. Haye offers them the opportunity to fight a well-rounded, exciting and talented boxer and thus prove they haven’t ruled a dormant division for 10 years.
Boxing doesn’t do itself any favours these days and you just have to look towards the Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather farce to prove how ridiculous it’s become. Now we also have the prospect of Audley Harrison v Haye which is such a horrifying proposition it is almost anti-boxing.
Not only does Klitschko have all these problems, he has also been dropped by HBO, the home of boxing in America, due to lack of interest.
He should have no problems against the Nigerian nightmare. The fact he is even ranked shows the poverty of the heavyweight division. His padded out record 34-3 only boasts the notable scalp of an ageing James Toney. He has lost to both Klitschkos and is sluggish fighter who grabs and clubs in an ungainly fashion. Against Klitschko he gives so much away in height and reach that the big man’s trademark jab will tear through him, just as it has every other faceless pugilist who stepped in the ring with the champion in recent years.
Still there’s not much else the Klitschkos can do other than fight what’s in front of them regardless if it goes down well with the boxing community, American audiences or anyone else. Unless Haye steps up and makes the fight happen they will just have to keep going through their back catalogue.
Anyone for Wladimir Klitschko v Eddie Chambers II?
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