Jameel fought the fight of his life, but came up short in the card.....dropping Peter several times in the 2nd round.... Now, the flip side is that Jameel had Peter in dire straits and couldn't finish him.....and lost the fight...so how's that for let down fight for Peter.....
A letdown is definitely possible. On the other hand, Peter didn't look like he was in nearly the shape he was in for the second Toney fight. I know Peter is a naturally bulky guy, but he should have come into the fight lighter, in my opinion. But credit to Peter for getting off the canvas and winning the fight.
Toney ruined him. Nobody fights Toney 2 times in a row without softening up. thats all there is to it:yep
If anybody softened Peter up, it was Wladimir Klitschko, not a former middleweight. But I don't think he was "softened" up. He just walked in flat footed and was clocked right on the chin with a punch he didn't see coming. Not a good idea against a guy who is 6-6, 270 pounds and is also getting leverage and his entire body into those punches. I give credit to both Peter and McCline. McCline knew this was his last opportunity to win a title (which it may not be, but he sure fought like it). He left it all in the ring and did the best job he could. His stock has risen. Peter showed heart, composure, and a good jab, but unlike McCline, his stock dropped in victory.
I dont think Peter was softened up by Wlad or Toney, he just came in with the attitude he was going to blow this guy away and it backfired on him. He bought into his own hype and payed the price for it, he got caught in the 3rd round and was able to battle through it and win the rest of the fight.
Peter's stock definitely dropped, and you know that Maskaev (I guy a gave no chance to beat Peter) is kicking himself for getting injured and not being able to fight Peter on that Night. If ever maskaev was to beat Peter, it would have been on that night.
I think he did what we all did: looked and said "Jameel WHO?" Jameel 3 Knockdowns McCline, that's who! :blurp
I will tell you what...Maskaev has two chance vs. Peter: slight and none...Peter had a let down not doubt, and he didn;t trained for the last month after he knew that Maskaev was pulling out, his head was not on his training, he didn't know who he was going to fight until two weeks before the fight....and he took Jameel very lightly..it cost him...he learn his lesson..he won...now he needs to proof all of us that he will focus and move forward and learn from this experince....if not ...I will agreed he was a flash in the pan...but I doubt it....