Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter

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Boardwalk Brawls
Date24 September 2005
VenueBoardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
Title(s) on the lineIBF/WBO Heavyweight Title Eliminator
Tale of the tape
Boxer Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko Nigeria Samuel Peter
Nickname "Dr. Steelhammer" "The Nigerian Nightmare"
Hometown Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Pre-fight record 44–3 (39 KO) 24–0 (21 KO)
Age 29 years, 5 months 25 years
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 244 lb (111 kg) 243 lb (110 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA/IBF/WBO
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight		 WBC/IBF/WBO
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA
No. 8 Ranked Heavyweight
NABF
Heavyweight Champion
Result
Klitschko defeated Peter via Unanimous Decision

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter, billed as "Boardwalk Brawls", was a professional boxing match contested on 24 September 2005.[1]

Background[edit]

Since his upset stoppage loss at the hands of Lamon Brewster, Wladimir Klitschko had secured two stoppage victories, first a split technical decision over DaVarryl Williamson and the second a 4th-round TKO over Eliseo Castillo. Despite this, many observers continued to question both Wladimir's chin and his stamina, as a result of the nature of his three losses to Ross Puritty, Corrie Sanders and Brewster.

Meanwhile, Samuel Peter was rising quickly through the heavyweight ranks, being ranked inside the top 10 by all the major sanctioning bodies, with his build and punching power drawing comparisons to Mike Tyson.[2][3] Indeed, when he interviewed by ESPN in June 2005, shortly before his final fight against Kevin McBride, Tyson would name Peter as one of his favourite fighters from the newest crop of heavyweights.[4] However, his record was criticised for the lack of notable opposition, and he had been described as slow, sloppy and predictable.[5]

On the 3 August 2005 the match up between Klitschko and Peter was confirmed. It would be an eliminator for the IBF and WBO belts held by Chris Byrd and Brewster (both former Klitschko opponents), in addition Peter's NABF and the vacant NABO titles were on the line.[6] Speaking at the New York press conference on 10 August, Peter told the assembled reporters, "I’m coming to do what I do. I’m a specialist. I’m a knockout specialist." Klitschko's trainer, Emanuel Steward predicted that his man would be the one to finish the fight early, "I predict he will knock out Sam Peter between the third and seventh round, he’s a seasoned professional fighter against an aggressive green fighter."[7] Veteran trainer Angelo Dundee predicted an early Peter knockout, saying "You can't train a chin".[8] It had been reported that many within the Klitschko camp didn't want to take the fight, but that Wladimir insisted that he wanted to face Peter.[9]

Most expected the bout to end in a knockout, given the question marks over Klitschko's stamina and the feeling that Peter would be unable to outbox Wladimir.[10][11][12] Peter was a 7 to 5 favourite entering the ring.[13]

The fights[edit]

Cotto vs. Torres[edit]

In the chief support Miguel Cotto defended his WBO Light Welterweight belt against Ricardo Torres, who was a late minute replacement for Gianluca Branco.[14]

Cotto knocked down Torres with a left hook in the first round, before being hurt himself with a right hand later in the round. Cotto was knocked down for first time in his career the second round. In the fourth round, Torres took a knee following a body shot, but he would hurt Cotto with a right-left combination in the next round. Cotto dropped Torres against with a right hand toward the end of the sixth, before connecting with a right-left combination in the seventh which ended the bout, giving Cotto a KO victory.[15]

Main Event[edit]

Klitschko spent much of the fight working behind jab, landing the occasional right hand and moving away from the advancing Peter. Klitschko would initiate a number of clinches, to keep Peter from finding a rhythm. In the fifth round a clubbing right hand to the back of Klitschko's head sent him down, he beat the count but was down again 30 seconds later from a half punch half push that referee Randy Neumann ruled a knockdown. Klitschko would survive the round and over the next few round would his use jab and straight right to attempt to slow the oncoming Peter, who continued to search for a knockout punch. A solid right hand, rocked Klitschko in the eight, and in the tenth a right hook sent him staggering across the ring before a straight right hand sent him down for the third time. Klitschko again beat the count and withstood Peter's follow up attacks until the end of round. Peter, his eyes swelling, wobbled Klitschko with a wild left hand early in the final round but a left hook from Wladimir hurt Peter.[16][17] The fight went to the judges, all three of whom would score the bout 114–111 in favour of Klitschko. HBO's unofficial scorer Harold Lederman also had it 114-111 for Klitschko.

According to CompuBox Klitschko landed 204 punches with 39% accuracy, against Peter's 100 punches with 23% accuracy.

Aftermath[edit]

Speaking after the bout Klitschko said "I have put my losses behind me, Boxing is a lot of fun, simple as that. I am ready to fight anyone. Peter was a very strong opponent, but he kept hitting me in the back of the head. It's wonderful to be back in the heavyweight picture. Hopefully, I convinced some of the critics that I have the stamina to go 12 rounds." Meanwhile, Peter said "I took his best punch and knocked him down three times, I came to win but he did his best and he beat me. He beat me today, but maybe on my best day I can beat him. I learned from the experience of being in with a top opponent for the first time."

Klitschko received praised for his performance, showing both heart and stamina to overcome being knocked down three times. Despite the loss Peter exhibited a strong chin, and despite appearing somewhat fatigated late on, he was nevertheless able to last the full 12 rounds (having only gone 10 rounds previously). He was however criticised for appearing to be somewhat one-dimensional.[18][19][20]

The following February it was confirmed that Klitschko would challenge Byrd for the IBF title in April. He would stop him in the 7th to become a heavyweight champion.[21][22] Peter would bounce back with wins over Robert Hawkins and Julius Long before he would face James Toney in a WBC title eliminator in September 2006.

This would be Wladimir's last bout without a world title on the line.

Undercard[edit]

Confirmed bouts:[23]

Broadcasting[edit]

Country Broadcaster
 Germany ARD
 United States HBO

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter (1st meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Passing Of The Torch: From Tyson To Peter? Exclusive Interview With Samuel Peter". boxing247.com. June 15, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Peter on the rise among heavyweights". espn.com. April 27, 2005. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "Reviewing his career, Tyson tackles 20 topics". espn.com. June 11, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Kevin Dinkins (3 September 2005). "Wladimir Klitschko Vs. Samuel Peter: Survival Of The Fittest". boxing247.com. East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  6. ^ Chet Mills (3 August 2005). "Official: Wladimir Klitschko Vs Samuel Peter Set For Atlantic City!". boxing247.com. East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  7. ^ Tim Smith (11 August 2005). "Heavy Anticipation For Wladimir Fight". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  8. ^ Geoffrey Gray (15 September 2005). "A Glass Jaw Can Be a Matter of Heart". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ^ Максим Maxim Софьин Sofin (5 April 2013). "Самый мотивирующий фильм про успех "Кличко"". youtube.com. Youtube. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. ^ Tim Nielson (7 September 2005). "Samuel Peter Vs. Wladimir Klitschko: Are We Seeing The Last Of Wladimir?". boxing247.com. East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  11. ^ Frank Lotierzo (23 September 2005). "Samuel Peter vs. Wladimir Klitschko: Get There Early". boxingscene.com. Boxing Scene. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  12. ^ wban100 (24 September 2005). "Team Klitschko Looking for Excuses (Again)? Demand fight gloves be weighed". floridaboxing.com. Retrieved 2 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Thomas Hauser; Anthony Evans (27 September 2005). "Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter". secondsout.com. Seconds Out. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Miguel Angel Cotto vs. Ricardo Torres". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  15. ^ Keith Idec (21 November 2017). "Cotto Recalls KO Win Over Ricardo Torres Put Him "On the Map"". boxingscene.com. BoxingScene. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  16. ^ Dan Rafael (24 September 2005). "Klitschko survives three knockdowns, edges Peter". espn.go.com/. ESPN. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  17. ^ Joey Mills (6 September 2021). "When Wladimir Klitschko And 'The Next Tyson' Saved The Heavyweight Division". thesportsman.com. The Sportsman. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. ^ Geoff McKay (26 September 2006). "Wladimir Klitschko – Samuel Peter: Where Do They Go From Here?". boxing247.com. East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  19. ^ "First Fight With Peter Was Turning Point For Klitschko". ringtv.com. The Ring. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  20. ^ Andy Meacock (29 September 2005). "Klitschko – Impressive But Questions Still Remain". boxing247.com. East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Byrd vs. Klitschko 2 is Official". boxingscene.com. Boxing Scene. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  22. ^ Michael Youssef (7 February 2006). "BYRD-KLITSCHKO II: THE FIRST LOOK AHEAD TO APRIL 22!". boxingtalk.com. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  23. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Wladimir Klitschko's bouts
24 September 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Samuel Peter's bouts
24 September 2005 		Succeeded by
vs. Robert Hawkins
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