Dear ESB, Before tonight's fight, I made the following post, to which FortyOunce took exception: I am voting for Maskaev as I have always thought Peter overrated. His much vaunted power can't KO a fat aging middleweight in two fights, and we saw against McCline how good his chin really is. Plus, he is a fat **** heavyweight. Oleg may be old and slow, but Peter is young and slow. Maskaev's problem has always been his chin, but he seems to have improved it by working on his positioning after throwing a punch. Also, adding a useful left hook seemingly has helped him- perhaps by making him more difficult to anticipate and counter punch. Maskaev KO 6 when Peter gets tired and decides he wants a sandwich. I promised FotyOunce that should his fighter win, I would start an offcial thread of apology to him and his fighter. Here it is. Congratulations to Sam Peter on his victory, and consolidating the two strands of the WBC belt. Hopefully, he continues to improve, and sets up a megafight with either Vitlay or Wlad. Peace
I send "no" apology as to what I have said about Peter. Maskaev was able to not only hit Peter with slow motion punches, but he was able to land them, yes, in slow motion. Oleg looked so old when he walked into the ring and Peter was also slow. They both looked bad. A Klitschko will gladly knock Peter out. I am so confident about that as long as we do not allow Don King to find a way to cheat. Peter landed his normal illegal punches behind the head, should have lost a point or two. Emanuel can't wait to get a rematch with Vlad, it depends on Vitali, he can force Peter to fight him legally, Vlad can't, King will not sign to fight Vlad, HBO could not get any commitment.
I can't wait to get a Klitscko into the ring with Peter. Oleg landed slow motion punches tonight and hurt Peter. Emanuel Steward wants Vlad to fight Peter ASAP, good money and a sure exciting knockout win. However, Vitali can force Peter to fight him legally, Vlad can't. HBO could not get King or Peter to commit. The reason punches behind the head are so illegal is because they are very dangerous, it is to the base of the skulls, that's why the are illegal, ask Terry Norris, he lost his title for such a punch.
Peter did what he had to do and got a clear victory because those judges were sketchy at best. This should set up a great fight between Peter and 1 of the K's....and should be a huge fight for heavyweight boxing.
Why were the judges sketchy? Two even rounds may have been too many, but I also had it 39-37 after four rounds... there was nothing unusual about that whatsoever. Peter was simply winning the fight.
Judges were for Peter, not Oleg, ref was for Peter also. It is Sam Peter who should apologize, he looked terrible. If he looked so good,then why is it that Steward can't wait to get Peter into the ring with Vlad? Oleg was kocked out by Oliver McCall, Cory Sanders, Kirk Johnson, Mount Whitaker (Goofi) and Tua.
I thought both Peter and Maskaev were terrible tonight.Peter is easy to hit and that once granite chin is now no better than average.Haye would have KOed Maskaev inside 2 rnds
I'm shocked. You always seem like such a contrite guy, able to change your thinking over time, listen to the opinions of others and come up with refreshing new viewpoints. This new stance is a surprise to me.
