Former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter, recently looking somewhat rejuvenated and certainly a whole lot slimmer, has told ESPN.com how he plans to avenge every one of his three defeats as a pro. Fresh off his impressive, 2nd-round stoppage of Nagy Aguilera - a fight that saw the 29-year-old Nigerian tip in at a solid-looking 237-pounds - "The Nigerian Nightmare" is raring to face Wladimir Klitschko in the first step in his plan to avenge his losses and at the same time become a heavyweight champion again..
"I am ready to regain my title," Peter told ESPN.com. "I am out to avenge all of my losses. I expect it will be Klitschko first in a must-fight, but I'd [also] love to step back in the ring with [Eddie] Chambers. I knocked Wladimir down three times in our fight and somehow didn't get the decision.
"Next time we meet, he won't get up."With the recent TKO win over Aguilera, Peter became the second in line to face Wladimir Klitscho according to the IBF. Unbeaten Russian star Alexander Povetkin is the #1 with the IBF, yet he and his team (including, of course, new trainer Teddy Atlas) are reportedly wanting more time to get ready for the fight. This means Peter will be the next guy in line, and his promoter, Bob Arum, told ESPN.com how he will pursue the Klitschko fight.
"If Povetkin doesn't take the fight, Klitschko is obligated to defend against Samuel Peter," Arum said. "We plan to pursue that on behalf of Samuel."
Arum's words may mean he will look for the IBF to threaten to strip Wladimir if he doesn't face either Povetkin or Peter next. This could make David Haye's chances of landing the mega-fight with the younger Klitschko look doubtful, for the near future anyway. Because if "Dr. Steel Hammer" wants to keep hold of his IBF belt (and the belts do mean a lot to the two giants from Ukraine), he will likely have to fight Peter (what with Povetkin choosing to take yet more time before going ahead with his earned shot) next.
How would the fans take to a Klistchko-Peter II? The first fight, a 2005, non-title affair, was an okay fight, with Klitschko being the recipient of three official counts (the knockdowns were largely of the punches-to-the-back-of-the-head variety) before winning on points. But fans everywhere would surely much prefer to see Wladimir getting it on with "The Hayemaker" instead of meeting Peter again.
Things could get a little nasty, though, if Klitschko does not face a mandatory challenger next. Unless a deal can somehow be struck, whereby Peter would get a guarantee that his shot at the IBF belt will come, whoever holds it at that time, it looks like we will have to keep on waiting for Klitschko and Haye to meet and settle their differences.
As for Peter avenging his pro losses: who would put money on him being able to do so? Defeat either of the two "Doctors?" I don't think so. But would Peter stand a chance at beating "Fast" Eddie in a return bout?
Source: eastsideboxing.com
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