If Vitali beats Sam Peter.....

He was only really "beaten" by Lewis, right? Byrd was a retirement due to injury in a fight in which he was well ahead. Vitali was very effective, albeit a little awkward looking. I think he will have another knee problem in camp. But a prime Vitali beats Peter.

 

I actually think it would an interesting fight if it every happens. Hard for me to pick a winner, I guess a more active and much improved Peter would have the edge, but I think the version of Klitschko who fought Lewis would beat any version of Peter I've seen to date.

 

I liked Vitali as a fighter, I felt he would have handled Rahman and the rest of the division with no serous problem but he has been off for 4 years and has not even had a tune up...I cant see him looking good at 37 yrs old and I hate to see a fighter go out that way...Peter is no great fighter but he has been in condition and has a serious punch, with no tune up this is not a smart fight to take...Vitali is a doctor...what is in his mind...Hate to see him get hurt

 

Bummy,

If Vitali wins the fight, where would you rank in terms of comebacks? I think Vitlai at 75% of what he was will win.

 

Yes, Vitali at 75% has a shot to beat Peter and I dont know how he has been training..he should be fighting 12 rounders in the GYM vs some serious sparring partners to prepare him...I think if he comes back and wins over Peter, it would be a serious acomplishment and supercharge his legasy...but 4 years off at 38 is hard.....I am rooting for him however...He is a class act

 

Im going to look at the odds for this one I smell an upset if the big guy is fit.Peter is an oaf,and shouldn't be floored by the likes of Mcline.Vitaly has the power ,and the tools ,if he can overcome the inactivity, to win this fight,he has better durability than his kid brother,and more resolve imo.

 

Oh come on, I don't really like Vitali at all, but I doubt he had much choice about the matter. Aside from occasionally being a bit overzealous in seeking out the best boxer of his generation (nothing wrong with that) after his retirement and showing questionable guts, I can't really fault Vitali's personality.

It's also worth noting that Vitali, while occasionally a bit dirty (it's hard to avoid rabbit punching occasionally when you're 6"8 ) was WAY less dirty that Sam Peter is. Peter fouls a LOT and I'm sure it's not all just lack of skill.

 

If he wins it will be a big victory in my eyes, his biggest yet by far.

I dont think he will though.

His injuries and recent inactivity wont permit it.

 

on first sight it looks stupid that vitali doesn't make a tune up fight first, but i guarantee you vitali will do something similar private. he will fight some top 25 guy under championship conditions, no easy sparring, press excluded, to see where he stands. and he has wladimir as comparison, if he sees he can't keep up with him, he will not get in the ring.

 

I hear Peter wants Audley Harrison next. I would like to see Vitali fight on the same card vs a journeyman. Even if he doesn't I still think Vitlai will defeat Peter if the fight happens.

 

That would be a good idea for both promotional and fistic reasons. Peter vs. Harrison is an acceptably good fight. While he's by no means a journeyman, Skelton would make a good opponent for Vitali: Matt is durable, dirty and stylistically suited for Vitali. Skelton can't punch half as hard as Peter, but he's quite similar in a number of other respects, although I think Skelton is stronger, more skilled and has better stamina.

 

I feel the talent level right now in the HW division is very good with the potential to be excellent. However, talent only flourishes as much as it is matched with near or equal talent. This is not happening. Were it to occur, and occur with consistency, we would be applauding this era.

That is the difference between now and the 1970's. The best fighters fighting the best fighters.

 

Peter is WBC champion.
How can a fight between him and Audley Harrison be even remotely acceptable ?