Whatever you think about Wladimir-Ibragimov, it's done and dusted now. Wladimir is the IBF & WBO champion. So let's try to get a little hype going about something in the future. Coming up on the 8th of March will be Sam Peter vs Oleg Maskaev, attempting to make a long-delayed second defence of the WBC belt he won from Hasim Rahman in August '06. How will it affect the division if Maskaev is able to pull off a victory here? How about if Peter wins? Are there any rumours from training camps about how things are going? Can Maskaev overcome the ring rust, can Peter rally from a demoralizing fight last time out?
I've heard Peter had a ruptured eardrum during the McCline fight and it affected his equilibrium, so I'm interested to see if that was the reason for the knockdowns. Gotzev said they brought in a nutritionist and fitness trainer for this camp. But during the first Toney fight, he had Robert Ferguson (the fitness trainer) and came in 257. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A Maskaev win would mean a big fight with Vitali. If Peter wins, I look for the same thing. Maskaev's ring rust, age, and injuries will make it hard on him. I expect Peter to look sharper, younger, and stronger.
If Peter has not deteriorated yet(who knows what his real age is) and keep his weight down a bit he should be able to KO Maskaev in the early rounds. Maskaev always has a chance with his power but Peter is faster, stronger and younger and has a better chin. If Oleg wins I wouldn't call him the weakest beltholder anymore cause I still rate Peter highly in this division.
The winner will be the real champion of all the title holders since this lineage follows from Lewis and then Vitali. The winner versus Vitali will re-establish the lineal title undisputedly and be true champion. Likely winner will be Vitali which wil mean Wlad wont get the recognition as champ that he is seeking until Vitali retires again.
It's gonna be a much more interesting fight to watch than what we saw saturday. Maskaev isn't a slick counterpuncher, and Sam isn't a timid jab n' grabber. I expect Sam to dent Maskaev sometime around the 2nd-3rd rounds, and probably stop him in 5. If not sooner.
brooklyn1550 - it's certainly going to be very interesting to see how Peter gets on with his weight this time. It's quickly become a point of interest with him that doesn't happen with a lot of other fighters. Is there any chance at all that Peter might even try to fight slightly differently now, perhaps feeling he needs to box more and brawl less? Or will he still be confident that that approach will work for him?
im sticking to my original prediction wayy back, oleg tko rd 8.... the nigerian nightmare will be havin nightmares after oleg lands a big right
There are two Oleg Maskaevs...one ko's Rachamn twice, the other gets ktfo by obese one eyed clubfighters. If good Oleg shows up, he kayos the over rated chubby "Nightmare". If bad Oleg fights Peter, someones going to have to provide a basket to store Olegs dismembered head.
Ya know dude, that's pretty ironic when you think about it. After everything Wlad has gone through to get where he is now, and Vitali wins a fight to temporarily become, the man. wow
It doesn't really sit well with me. I know about the "Klitchko dream" of both guys holding belts but Wlad has worked so hard to get out from under Big Brother's shadow, and yet Vitali might be back to steal the limelight again. You can bet everything you own that if Vitali becomes the WBC title holder again then all this 'best heavyweight in the world' status around Wladimir will be yanked away and plonked on Vitali so fast it'll make his head spin. Whether Vitali wins the WBC belt then retires, or wins it and decides to fight on with it, either which way it overshadows Wladimir and totally derails any hopes of an undisputed champ. I just can't in good conscience back Vitali if he fights the Peter-Maskaev winner. And that's not a knock on the man or his abilities. When it comes to this situation, I will want him to lose.
I'm looking for Peter to beat Oleg and then fight Wlad....and if that happens? I'll consider the winner the Heavyweight champion. and even if Oleg wins and fights Wlad I'll consider the winner the heavyweight champion. basicly....we're close to a heavyweight champ
This fight is going to be great, it's rare to see Peter not have an exciting fight. I see Peter brutally knocking Maskaev with his signature overhand right, it's a punch Maskaev is wide open for.
I don't think Vitali would be the champ if he is able to come back successfully and defeat the winner of Peter and Maskaev because little brother has earned it....if he fights and beats Chagaev, which will be as easy as beating Imbrogimov.