so vitali is getting a title shot in october vs sam peter. when he steps back in the ring, it will be after 3 years and 10 months out of the ring.
i do realize it is because of his "champion emeritus" status that he is guaranteed a title shot .....but this move not only reeks of total arrogance, its flat out stupid on his part....the only thing going for him is that the fight will be in germany, and i can't figure out why peter would agree to that.
i don't believe the judges will be a factor though. vitali, if you remember was too fragile to get in with hassim rahman, and pulled out of that fight 3 times....peter is a legitmate top 3 (probably # 2) heavyweight, and while i have never been overly impressed with peter, he has a 10 year age advantage, hits harder, and has been staying active, and steadily improving.
if he's waited this long, whats is the harm in taking a tune up, against someone like rahman, or james toney, and then fighting peter? how does he believe he is ready?, and i think that emeritus title should be reexamined, 4 years is a long time out of action.
my prediction: vitali quits on his stool after 6, after suffering a knockdown somewhere in between. this sets up wladamir vs peter 2, this time here in the states. wladamir plays it safe and jabs his way to a decision, without throwing a power punch until after the 4th round. the venue rains down the boos from the third round on.
what are you're thoughts on either fight?
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