Eurosport - Sun, 12 Oct 11:33:00 2008
Vitali Klitschko defeated Nigerian Samuel Peter to win back the WBC heavyweight title three years after injury forced him into retirement.
Peter suffered at the end of Klitschko's longer reach throughout the fight and decided not to continue after an update of the scores at the end of round eight showed all three judges had marked the Ukrainian ahead.
Klitschko's win means he and younger brother Wladimir are the first siblings to simultaneously hold versions of the world heavyweight title. Wladimir is the IBF and WBO champion.
"Today I have realised one of our dreams and we will carry on dreaming," Klitschko said after the fight.
"It would be great to take all the world titles in the Klitschko family."
Klitschko, 37, began his comeback fight by slowly taking measure of Peter, jabbing away at the defending champion, who was left flailing at times as the cry came out from his corner to "stay low".
Klitschko gradually raised his intensity, patiently waiting before landing a series of crunching rights that left Peter looking increasing desperate as he nursed a cut lip and tried to land a big punch that looked like his only chance of winning.
"I had my chances and I took my chances," said the Ukrainian, who is known as 'Dr Iron Fist', adding that he felt he could have knocked out Peter in the next round or two.
"I saw his speed was not quick enough."
Klitschko won the WBC title in 2004 but had not fought since a successful defence against Briton Danny Williams later that year. In 2005, he withdrew from a fight to defend the title.
Klitschko said he was surprised Peter stopped fighting.
"I was surprised because I promised to stop the fight. I had to stop the fight, not Samuel Peter."
Comment 19 - 38 of 38
sasha,lets go down history lane.the refs did a good thing to stop that lewis fight because vitali was badly cut and they were just halfway of the fight.
my brother peter take some rest but come back for the title is yours
peter personaly im proud of u ..............one love brodaman 4rm ken jos..
Am not suprise that Peter was defeated,because your opponent count on your mistakes and that was what happened on Saturday night.Truely Peter was somtimes ago count on the mistakes of someone before he crowned the World Boxing Champion.All peter's need to do is to work on his mistakes as for him to be there again.
Lawrence Jos
Am not suprise that Peter was defeated,because your opponent count on your mistakes and that was what happened on Saturday night.Truely Peter was somtimes ago count on the mistakes of someone before he crowned the World Boxing Champion.All peter's need to do is to work on his mistakes as for him to be there again.
Lawrence Jos
Isn't the time for Lewis to settle down the score with Vitaliy without the help from referees? At least that would help to answer if heavyweights are in decline...
it`s good 4 both of them 2 have engaged each other but i think ther will be more respect if one rechallenges d other 2 prove more superiority 2 d whole world. peter should go back 2 his drawing board if there`s anything there 4 him 2 still prove 2 everyone he`s disappointed that he`s a true champion.i want him 2 still do nigeria & d whole africa proud. SAMUEL GO 4 IT, U CAN MAKE IT. from julius oduwole.
it
now that the klitchkos hold the belts bar the micky mouse one bring on the next clown where are you david hay ha ha ha
peter looked like a big teddy bear and klitchko did not know to huge him or hit him
I reckon Vitali should call out Chris Byrd and reverse the loss.
Peter can make it again if he works harder. Peace. Frank Airoboyi-Nigeria
For Peter to have held the title for sometime and even fight boxers like Vitali shows that he is a great sportsman. It is like having the Nigerian National football team play Brazil or other big nations in the world cup fianls. Peter has etched his name in boxing history. But he could also come back if he trims down. Owoeye.
For Peter to have held the title for sometime and even fight boxers like Vitali shows that he is a great sportsman. It is like having the Nigerian National football team play Brazil or other big nations in the world cup fianls. Peter has etched his name in boxing history. But he could also come back if he trims down. Owoeye.
Before the fight, i rated Peter low, after the fight i rate him even lower. He's just not good enough fot the heavies. He's dull, slow and looks ungainly in his imagination. He lacks the hunger and viciousness even speed of a real fighter. Before Iron Mike Tyson and the greatest of them all, Ali, he would melt. It's good for boxing that he lost, i really wonder how he got there. klitscho sure deserves the crown but he too needs to work on his precision and power. the world needs boxers in the mould of Tyson and Ali. They don't seem to be around any more.
Ken the Dude, Lagos, Nigeria
I am a Nigerian and i was really not surprised at peter. He really isn't a great boxer or one you can look up to. he was poor and his jabs were frail. he lost because he wasn't good enough. I am proud of boxers who take their title with calm and do the damage. Over-hype hasn't helped peter and Khan reach their potential, the more they are pressured the more they will continue to lose....
i depressed that Peter lost, but he has to take it in the spirit of sportsmanship.
u win smtimes and loose sometimes. Like the legendry bob marley sang:' he
uwho fights and run away lives to fight another day'.
Obitech.
HEY JUMI4CHRIST2003, YOUR COMMENT JUST SHOWS YOU ARE A TYPICAL AFRICAN, NAY NIGERIAN! WHEN SAMUEL PETERS WON THE LAST TIME, AM SURE YOU JOINED THE WHOLE WORLD TO SING HIS PRAISES TO HIGH HEAVANS. JUST BECAUSE HE DID NOT WIN THIS TIME SHOULD NOT MAKE YOU HATE ON HIM LIKE THIS. A TRUE FAN IS SOME ONE WHO STICKS BY HIS/HER PERSON OR TEAM NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. AM SURE AS A NIGERIAN, SAMUEL PETERS WILL BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS LOSS TO CLIMB TO GREATER HEIGHT.AND AM SURE THEN YOU AND YOUR TYPE OF FAIR WEATHER FANS WILL BE THE FIRST IN LINE TO CONGRATULATE HIM.
MOST AFRICAN SPORT CELEBRITIES ARE JUST UNPROFESSIONAL AND ARE JUST AFTER MONEY. THERE IS NO TRUE PROFESSIONALISM IN ANY THING THEY DO. IT DESTROYS THE WHOLE FABRIC OF THE SOCIETY WHEN THE MAIN GOAL OF AN ATHLETE'S PROFESSIONAL CAREER IS TO MAKE MONEY AND NOT FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT.
AFTER DEFEAT TO PETER YOU THEN REALISE THAT YOU A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE YOUR NAME IN RECORD BOOKS; WHERE IT NOT FOR A FEW INDISCIPLINE ATTITUDE HERE AND THERE. JUST LOOK AT THE MAN'S TUMMY. IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS NOT PARTED WITH POUNDED YAM AND 'EDIKAINKON', BEFORE THE FIGHT YOU CAN TELL. UNFORTUNATELY,SO DO I, IN MY JOB IF I MAY CONFESS.
PLEASE UNCLE PETER, LET THERE BE NO REMATCH WITH KLITSCHO, IT WILL BE WORSE THAN THIS!
AND NON ONE WILL DARE TO WATCH
HAVEN A NICE DAY.
Men, peter it is Good having your name in the book of the Champions but never relax u can still have it there once more, improve in your skills and speed. Also try and shed some weight
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