Join Will Cooling at 5pm ET for live coverage of tonight’s heavyweight title fight, with heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko defending his world titles against Sam Peter in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena.
The two first met in 2005, with Klitschko able to put recent setbacks behind him by outpointing the then undefeated “Nigerian Nightmare” even after touching the canvass three times. That was the last time Klitschko was in a competitive match, with his next nine fights all being one sided as under the tutelage of trainer Emmanuel Stewart he perfected the attritional, long range fighting style that literally makes him untouchable. In the past two years Peter has had to rebuild his career after being manhandled by first Wladimir’s brother Vitali and then American heavyweight Eddie Chambers. Since then he has dropped weight and put together a run of four victories. Despite this he is a heavy underdog, with much of the debate about the fight focusing on whether Klitschko will fight aggressively and seek to finish early.
Whilst we wait for the fight to start, why not take the chance to look at our explanation of how we ended up with this rematch and the real reason behind the Klitschkos’ troubled relationship with America. Also take the chance to have a look at Wladimir’s ‘generous’ birthday gift for Sam Peter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_p3lmXcHI4&feature=player_embedded
Wladimir is getting pretty good at this trash talking, I like his much repeated jibe that David Haye and Audley Harrison is for the “London Heavyweight Champion”.
WBO, IBO, IBF and Ring World Heavyweight Title Match
Wladimir Klitschko (247) vs. Sam Peter (241)
Round One
The arena looks amazing in Frankfurt, with fireworks, lights and videos giving the event a big time feel that I’m not sure even the biggest Vegas shows can match. The over 40,000 strong crowd boos Sam Peter on his entrance. Michael Buffer is on ring intros and they’re using the fact that its 44 years since Muhammed Ali defended his title in Frankfurt against a local fighter as an excuse for some surreal videos that splice Wladimir Klitschko into archive Ali footage.
Peter tries to push the action early, very aggressive start from Peter. Wladimir is keeping the jab up there to keep Peter at distance. Peter gets a left hook through. Wladimir holds onto Peter, referee quickly breaks and the crowd boos. Wladimir has Peter on the ropes, but the referee quickly breaks them up. The referee is pretty hot on the stopping them clinching, quickly breaking things up when Peter holds. Peter again pushes the action as we the bell sounds. Close round, Klitschko controlled where the fight took place but Peter landed the one quality punch of the fight and looked aggressive throughout. Hmmmm. I’d give that to Peter 10-9.
Round Two
Peter is again pushing the action, but Klitschko is connecting with some hard right hands. Both fighters are looking good, but Klitschko staggers Peter with a straight right hand. Peter hits Klitschko with a low blow. Peter is really being effected by Klitschko’s bombardment, with the champion again hurting the challenger with a hard right hand. Peter is wildly throwing but Klitschko is able to move out of the way. Dominant round from Klitschko, and unless something changes this is not going to be a long fight. 10-9 to Klitschko (19-19)
Round Three
Peter is looking pretty beat up, blinking furiously. Klitschko is connecting at will with that hard right hand, and Peter just can’t get past the jab that sets it up. The intensity levels have dropped in this round with Klitschko in complete control. Peter does however come close with a wild left hook. 10-9 to Klitschko (29-28 to Klitschko).
Round Four
Klitschko again connects with the big right hand at the start of the round. Peter is moving forward too slowly, allowing Klitschko to tie him up repeatedly. The referee is very quick to break it up. Peter is far more cautious than early on, so not presenting the opportunities for Klitschko to open up and punish him. Peter throws a left hook but its easily blocked. Another round to Klitschko 10-9 (39-37 to Klitschko).
Round Five
Klitschko seems a bit more aggressive at the start of the round, putting together a couple of two-punch combinations. The jab of Klitschko is also doing real damage to Peter, with his right eye starting to close up. Klitschko is looking better, far more active. Peter is completely neutralized, just can’t beyond the jab. Another round to Klitschko 10-9 (49-46 to Klitschko).
Round Six
More of the same with Klitschko throwing the jab out to step up the clubbing right hands. Peter is getting a bit more success when boxing in the clinch. Klitschko is landing at will, with Peter looking increasingly leaden. Peter’s right eye is looking a mess and he’s breathing heavy. Peter is warned again for another low blow. The round ends with Klitschko connecting with a nice short uppercut. 10-9 to Klitschko (59-55 to Klitschko).
Round Seven
Peter is trying push the action but Klitschko connects with a short left hook. Klitschko is eating Peter up with the left jab, throwing another good left hook. The referee stops the fight due to a problem with Peter’s glove. Peter is rubbing his eye repeatedly. Peter comes forward but Klitschko beats him to the punch in a quick exchange of in-fighting. Klitschko opens up to land two big right hands. Peter checks his eye again. Klitschko has barely broken a sweat, but is in complete control. At the very end, Klitschko connects with several one-two combinations and Peter’s legs almost buckle. Peter is surely not long for this fight. (69-64 to Klitschko)
Round Eight
Klitschko is just beating Peter up, with the left jab and right hand landing at will. He looks light on his feet and puts four one-two combinations together that almost causes Peter to buckle. Peter is completely outclassed and outfought. His only noticeable punch is a right hand thrown after the referee had called a seperation. 10-9 to Klitschko (79-73 to Klitschko).
Round Nine
More of the same from Klitschko who is in complete control with nothing of worth coming from Peter. Peter has slowed right down and is offering nothing in effective offense. He’s not got much left to offer, indeed his corner would be advised to just get him out now. 10-9 to Klitschko (89-72)
Round Ten
Peter’s corner tells him he has one more round. Steward is calling for Klitschko to finish the fight. Klitschko is putting his punches together, really pushing the action. The end comes with one of the most visceral thirty seconds of boxing you’ll ever see, with Klitschko putting together a long series of clubbing blows that has Peter absolutely dead on his feet. Klitschko throwing numerous uppercuts, and the fight really should be stopped. Peter is staggered and Klitschko knocks him out with a big short uppercut as the referee moves in to stop the fight. Dominant performance from Klitschko, although he could have finished Peter earlier.
This concluces our live coverage of Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sam Peter. Stay with Inside Fights for all the latest news and analysis from the world of boxing and mixed martial arts.
