Vitaly Klichko (1971- ), former WBC Heavyweight Champion, making a comeback
Vitaly Klichko announced his comeback to the ring and will square off with current WBC heavyweight world champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter on 11 October in Berlin, Germany. As reigning WBC heavyweight champion in November 2005, Klitschko announced he was hanging up his gloves due to an injury to his right knee. But, at a news conference in New York on Wednesday, the 37-year-old Klichko said he was fit for the bout, which, he predicted, would be decided in his favour by the end of the sixth round. “I promise the fight will not be easy and it won’t go to the scorecards. It will probably end between rounds four-six. I have a lot of presents ready for Peter for 11 October”, BoxingScene.com website quoted Klichko as saying.
Klichko, who lives and trains in Germany, hasn’t fought in almost four years, but as WBC “champion emeritus” he has the right to challenge Peter whenever he wished. He said that besides getting his title back his other top motivation is to hold one of the heavyweight titles along with his younger brother, Vladimir, who is currently the reigning IBF and WBO heavyweight champion. “I don’t underestimate Peter. He is a good puncher. I will give my best to be the winner, to take my title back, and to make history where two brothers will be champions at the same time. It’s a huge motivation for me”, he said.
His opponent, a usually punctual 27-year-old Nigerian, was one hour late for the news conference, but, when he did show he dismissed Klichko’s promises and declared himself the only true champion. “Vitaly, you never beat a champion. You say you are the champion, but you are not a champion. You can’t be the champion until you beat me, and you can’t”, Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) said, adding that after beating Vitaly he will go after his younger brother. “I am making one promise today. I will knock Vitaly out. Trust me. I will knock out Vitaly, and then I will beat his brother. There is no doubt about that”, he concluded.
Klichko, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 245 lbs (203 centimetres, 111 kilogrammes), fought 37 bouts, with 35 victories (34 KOs). Before quitting in 2005, he was the reigning WBC/IBO champion, had taken the European title on four occasions, and was the WBO world champion from June 1999 to June 2000.
28 August 2008
RIA-Novosti
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