29 minutes ago

BERLIN (AP) — Vitali Klitschko reclaimed the WBC heavyweight title Saturday night, stopping Samuel Peter at the end of the eighth round.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian beat Peter with a flurry of solid jabs to the head that kept him ducking and weaving — and occasionally wobbling.

Klitschko (36-2, 34 KOs) has been WBC "champion emeritus" since a knee injury forced him to bow out of a fight and retire from boxing in 2005. The two fought Saturday at Berlin's O2 World arena in front of more than 12,000 fans.

The Nigerian-born Peter dropped to 30-2.

41 minutes ago

BERLIN (AFP) — Four years after his last fight, former champion Vitali Klitschko is preparing to challenge Nigeria's Samuel Peter to win back the WBC heavyweight belt on Saturday and prove age is no object.

Peter, dubbed the "Nigerian Nightmare" with a record of 30 wins, 1 defeat and 23 knockouts, will be defending the title he won against Russia's Oleg Maskaev on March 8 and starts as favourite.

But Klitschko, who boasts the highest overall knockout ratio of any heavyweight champion, said his inactivity over the last four years was no problem.

"I'm still the same Vitali," he told German paper Bild.

"I'm ambitious, mentally strong and hard-working.

"It's not really a comeback for me, more like a fight between two world champions after an injury."

The 37-year-old Klitschko, the older brother of IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Vladimir, last fought in December 2004 against Britain's Danny Williams before a knee injury led to his retirement.

His defeat by Lennox Lewis in June 2003 due to a cut eye saw him miss out on holding both the WBC and IBO titles, but Klitschko wants to defeat Peter in Berlin so the brothers from Kiev can hold all four titles between them.

Peter wore a Germany football shirt to spar in the German capital this week in a bid to win some popularity here, but there is a lot of tension between the pair.

The Nigerian ripped the WBC belt from Klitschko's hands and stormed off stage at a press conference earlier this week during a routine photo shoot.

"What happens here is a show," said a bemused Klitschko.

"The real fight is in the ring."

Peter, 28, was apparently angry that the conference was conducted mostly in German and responded by answering the few English questions posed to him in Nigerian.

"He is a phony who is messing with my career and my life. On Saturday, he will be out of everyone's life for good," said Peter.

But Klitschko wants to write the family name in boxing folklore.

"We want to write boxing history, two brothers as world heavyweight champions has never been done before," said Klitschko, nicknamed "Dr Iron Fist".

"We promised our mother we would do it."

As a doctor of sports science, Klitschko has prepared for this fight with his age in mind.

More swimming and less running has been the order of the day. Shadow boxing sessions have been in the pool, but he has put himself through a 10-week long punishing regime to be fit for the fight.

"I am enormously pleased to be healthy and in top condition again, I have missed everything around boxing," said Klitschko.

Mikky jaga  # 1 | 10.10.2008 13:43

Please join in saying your prayers for the Nigerian Nightmare as he enters the ring, Saturday for his first ever Heavyweight title defence. May we rejoice again that the Nightmare has done it again.

No Smoking  # 2 | 10.10.2008 16:34

Abeg, sebi na sports. Which wan' be prayer to win?? The Russian bobo really been dwarf Peters for dem photo-shoot. Peters go need heavy punches to da body and tummy of dat hefty 'shenko wey get many advantages, including longer reach.

tengallons  # 3 | 10.10.2008 16:51

Great start. You can't let your opponent psyche you out. Go Samuel! tg _______________________________________________________________ http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/18853/65/ Peter speaks Ibibio at World Press Conference Written by Tony Ubani Thursday, 09 October 2008 Page 1 of 2 AS the days turn into hours in the title fight between WBC Champion Samuel 'Nightmare' Peter and Vitali Klitschko, the Nigerian has shown that he is not one to be out-done even in a strange land. PeterPeter stakes his title against Klitschko on Saturday in Berlin in a fight many believe the Nigerian holds the ace because of his blinding power punches. In one of the Press Conferences, the Nigerian Nightmare was provoked into speaking his native dialects, Annang and Ibibio, after the Ukrainian spoke in German. The World Press stood in awe as Peter who was asked to speak in English launched into a babel of tongues. Boxing analysts rose in unison to salute his courage and fearlessness. That was the beginning of trouble for Klitschko who climbs into the ring on Saturday against Peter after years of inactivity, without one warm up match in between. After absorbing the shock of the language brouhaha, Klitschko pulled out another stunt when the two boxers were asked to pose for photo shots before anxious photographers. The tall Ukrainian who hopes to join his younger brother Wladimir in holding all boxing titles if he beats Peter on Saturday tried to hold the belt to his side. An angry Peter snatched the belt from Vitali. Speaking after the incident, Peter promised to make Klitschko bleed. “He has tried to be disrespectful and arrogant to me. I will teach him a lesson the hard way. That is the only way he will know the difference between us. I am going to shatter the ambition of the brothers in holding all titles. I already have a score to settle with his younger brother after they gave him a fight that I clearly dominated. After beating him, I will fight his younger brother and settle our final score,” the Nigerian who is reputed to have the deadliest punch in the world said. Already, the fight is generating so much interest in Nigeria with Akwa Ibom State Governor leading a powerful delegation to watch and support their son. “He has brought honour to Nigeria, Africa and the black race. And we are proud he is our son,” Chief Press Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Usoro Usoro proudly said on our hotline.

No Smoking  # 4 | 10.10.2008 17:25

...Akwa Ibom State Governor leading a powerful delegation to watch and support their son.... Ahem, Estacode go suffer for dis powerful delegation.. :wink: How much dem been don add to support dis their son.. :eek:

Robot  # 5 | 11.10.2008 09:35

Nigerian boxer out to ruin Klitschko's comeback 41 minutes ago BERLIN (AFP) — Four years after his last fight, former champion ...Read the full article.

Tiger  # 6 | 11.10.2008 10:15

I hope all goes well for Samuel Peter. Age or no age, Klitschko is always a formidable opponent.

Norris  # 7 | 11.10.2008 12:12

I don't know if I am wrong but this fight is not really as publicised as other WBO WBC heavy weight fights during the days of Ali, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis etc; noticeably and from a little survey I have done, a lot of internationals don't know Peters nor the other guy, they don't even bother knowing the fight dates. I wonder? Or is place of origin the real reason for this general lack of enthusiasm.

omaks  # 8 | 11.10.2008 12:28

Does anyone know where i can watchthis match tonight on TV, in the UK? I'm desperate!!

depirate  # 9 | 11.10.2008 17:49

6 rounds gone (all rounds to klitschko)

denker  # 10 | 11.10.2008 18:05

..peter lost the fight..gave up at 8th round...pity!

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