I keep seeing things like "Oh, Vitali wouldn't take this fight if he didn't think he could win" and "Vitali's been in and out of the gym training for 4 years and doesn't smoke or drink." Since when does that equal victory? Does having a PhD put Vitali in a better position than every other fighter who came back after a lengthy layoff? I'm sure they all felt they could come back and win as well. When Lennox Lewis supposedly had trouble in sparring sessions people jumped all over it and overlooked the fact that he was SPARRING. When Vitali Klitschko spars period his sparring sessions become the ultimate gauge and people look at these things as if they are live-fire situations and immediately predict certain victory. I know that people want nostalgic things and would love to see Vitali win on Saturday. I have nothing against him and I wouldn't be totally surprised if he found a way to win but the truth is that he's flat out up against it. 4 years away with a laundry list of injuries is alot to overcome. Despite what most here think, Vitali is not impervious to these factors. If Vitali truly is healthy Samuel Peter will be in for a hard night but what are the chances of Vitali's body holding up here? Seriously. I think alot of people just find it unimaginable that Vitali can be vulnerable and that's understandable considering how dominant he looked throughout his career. It's difficult to picture him getting knocked down, or even worse, stopped. However, timing is everything in life and things change in 4 years. I think Peter stops Vitali. In any event, here's hoping for a good fight. :wooo
Good post. I've noticed the same thing, with several: "Vitali's smart and wouldn't come back unless he really knows he's ready" comments. Most athletes who have staged come backs think they're ready and able (I suppose some are just doing it for the money and aren't too confident, but this is probably the minority)
This is not the same kind of comeback. Vitali hasn't been in 100 wars. He's won most of his fights by knockout. His only war was with Lewis. He's never besides that taken a beating or had many many hard fights. Most of the people coming back HAVE had hard fights and taken beatings AND RETIRED WHEN THEY WERE ALREADY DONE. Klitschko was not done when he retired.
Sure, but it's not just the combat sports where someone makes a come back and then finds out that they're not as sharp as they once were. I'm just playing devil's advocate; I want Vitali to win, but I'm worried about the layoff. Mario Lemiuex in hockey came back after a long layoff with cancer and did well. Hopefully Vitali's comeback is successful also.
4 years is a long time, so that is the hardest part to judge, is trying to estimate how much Vitali has slipped in 4 years off. On the bad side - are all the injuries. After major back and knee injuries requiring surgery, you will never really be 100% the same. On the good side - Vitali weighed in 247. He is in ****ing excellent shape. How many other times has a heavyweight been out of boxing for 4 years and come back at their exact same weight as before? Probably never. Given his situation Vitali has given himself the best chance possible by coming in top shape. Peter is on the heavier side for his weigh ins and obviously could have came in lighter if he was training harder. He is seriously underestimating Vitali. I would hugely favor the Vitali of 2004 over Peter. I wouldnt give Peter a prayer to beat that Vitali. Now we are only speculating what Vitali will be like tomorrow. I think that even having slipped a bit, he is still in good shape and Peter looks to be past his best, I think Vitali will give Peter his first KO loss.
I notice you came here in Feb 05 when Kiltschko was still considered a active fighter surely you remember how many nuthuggers he had back then. Somes thing never change I suppose. I remember back then even Wlad getting KTFO on a regular basis everyone still ranked him number 2 in the division. Vitali could beat Ali and Joe Louis on the same night according to them.
Nobody said that Wladimir or Vitali could beat both Ali & Louis on the same night. Roy Jones Jr. did say he thought James Toney could beat both Klitschkos on the same night, which of course is complete bull****. Roy went on to be KO'd by Tarver after that, TALK ABOUT POETIC JUSTICE. :rofl
And you point is ? Oh yeah lets praise the 6 foot 5 and 240 pound Klitschko brothers cause they would KO a man who started as a Middleweight. How is that justice ? Roy said that about Toney after he had been already KOed twice he said it during the Toney-Ruiz fight. So its poetic justice to get KOed for stating your opinion WTF. Yes they did claim Vitali and Wlad could beat all the greats and yes all of them back then although Vitali had a laughable resume his best win came agianst Corrie Sanders :-( he was considered a ATG. Rahman actually defeat Lennox Lewis unlike Klitschko and defeated Sanders as well and was the true Heavyweight Champ at once but he was always called trash. Oh I hope Peter takes his head off or better yet Vitali breaks his ankle in the 1st round so I come in here and laugh at the coward and his **** hugger.
Yes I can considering Wlad had just been KOed by Brewster and Sanders yet they would rank him number 2.
If serious injuries didn't prove he's done then what does?, he openly stated that he's DONE because his injuries were too serious.
His point was that a man that made a living off of criticizing other fighters and running his mouth got KTFO'd when he thought he was invincible. I remember distinctly Jones laughing at Wladimir Klitschko after the Brewster fight...apparently so does Wlad. Wlad commented on Jones' words in preparation for the Sam Peter fight...he thought it was amusing that Jones got KTFO'd as well!! Twice!! I'll give Roy his props...when he gets KO'd, he gets KTFO'd!!
