This past Saturday in Germany, world number one heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49KOs) defended his IBF, WBO and Ring titles against Samuel Peter (34-4, 27KOs), and as expected the fight was more or less one sided in the big Ukrainian's favor.
In many ways, it was a fight that really didn't need to happen anyway, and might not have in other less sparsely populated weight classes. The sole interest going into the fight came from the fact that Peter knocked Wladimir down twice back in their 2005 encounter, a fight which Wlad nevertheless went on to win on points.
This time around saw a recently hot and cold Peter pitted against a much better Wladimir Klitschko than he the one he fought before and came close to beating. Since losing to Vitali Klitschko in 2008, Peter hasn't really done anything remarkable to warrant a second fight with Wladimir, beating a few lower tier opponents and losing to fellow contender Eddie Chambers. But to be fair to both Peter and Wlad, there also wasn't anyone else who wanted to take the fight.
Having beaten Peter for a second time, there isn't any obvious next opponent for Klitschko although he does apparently have a venue and date picked out already. Part of the downside of the Klitschko brothers being the two best fighters in the division is that they effectively cancel out twice the amount of viable contenders that any other two champions would. By that I mean that if one of them has beaten someone, usually fairly easily, then there usually isn't much appeal in seeing the other one do the same thing.
The biggest fight left in the division remains to have either of the Klitschkos face off against WBA champion David Haye but frankly that doesn't look like happening any time soon. Both Klitschkos have claimed Haye is scared of them and Haye has claimed the deals he was offered to fight either were unfair. For the time being it seems both parties are making enough money without each other and don't want to risk it.
The Klitschko brothers, while rarely even televised in the United States, make a killing in their adoptive base in Germany, where either is capable of selling out a soccer stadium. Haye equally has a big following in his native England and looks set to make big money fighting Audley Harrison in his next outing. By all rights, Haye should be fighting a higher ranked opponent than Harrison, who even being kind to him is European level rather than world level. Despite the disparity on paper though, and the fact that Haye is a prohibitive favorite, the fight is already close to selling out.
Haye tweeted earlier this week:
"Just heard from ticket office at M.E.N. Arena... just over half the tickets already sold in just 6 hours! :-) Book online and get face value tickets while you still can! Don't wait for it to sell out, and have to pay through the nose off a cheeky tout!"
And in many ways, therein lies the problem, neither Haye or Klitschko needs to accept terms that they don't like the look of so long as they can make millions fighting easier opposition. The few current American contenders by contrast all have much smaller followings, and as such are glad to be getting the smaller end of a big money fight at all in most cases.
Some of you by now will no doubt be starting to think I've left out the other cruiser turned heavy who people are currently talking about. But after the way Tomasz Adamek struggled against Michael Grant last time out, he looks far from close to either Klitschko's level. He might make for a big selling fight in Europe, but realistically if a 38 year old Grant who had only fought once in the last two years gave him a stern test, Wlad or Vitali would almost certainly dominate him.
Outside of that, the rest of the top ranked names at heavyweight in general don't look too promising as opponents for any of the current champions. Pittsburgh's Eddie Chambers for example has the speed and technique, but looked far too small in his recent loss against Wladimir and is apparently considering a drop down to cruiser weight in the near future. Alexander Povetkin's own team don't think he is ready for the top just yet, and bizarre sparring sessions aside, he seems to be keeping a low profile at the moment. Similarly the likes of Valuev, Arreola or Changaev have either been beaten or can't agree to terms.
Until either Haye or one of the two Klitschkos really wants or needs the fight to happen though, all three will probably continue dining out on opponents who are either no good to begin with, too small or out of shape.
Comments
I don't see anybody who could beat any of the two brothers right now including Haye. Sam Peter started with his bobbing and waving movement but could not go near WK. With his height and long arms, I could see WK using his left jabs followed by a straight left all night and David Haye would not be able to answer it. His power would be too much for the much smaller Haye. Just like Floyd ducking Manny, all David (who also talks too much) can do is avoid fighting him.
Haye is on vacation right now. Once he get back from vacation, he's going to whoop the K brothers behind and cook them with rice and dogs and cats.They will be making suhsi for him.
Haye is the Heavy Weight version of Floyd. Scared and didn't want to fight. He'll probably demand for testing or some sh!t like that just to get out of the fight.
I remember some black dude saying that Pacquiao haven't fought a real american black fighter. Well, aren't Floyd and Haye both american black fighters? Then where are they? Both these fighters are both gay. Too much drama, testing crap and purse split sh!t. Do you want to fight or not? Oh I want to fight but take the test. Oh I want to fight but I should get the big money. Oh I want to fight but not in Dallas. Oh I want to fight, but I'm on vacation. Dude, if you don't want to fight, just say it and be a man about it. You're being gay by making these stupid excuses.
hayes english you inbred piece of shit, your mums a whore
why does the media consistently let fighters who duck off the hook? haye had two chances to fight the klitschko brothers and he backed outta both. did vitali or vlad pull out, or was it the other way around. haye and mayweather both talk about beating opponents.....after pulling outta fights. its floyd and davids fault, theirs only for the fights not happening. thats it and thats all.
haye is not a real test.. he's scared of the klitschkos!
what if Klitschko is american probably he is now one of the greatest, too bad Klitschko is unpopular to the US consciousness bec. he is a russian.
What if Ali fought Klitschko, I'm not sure if ali can win convincely if ever he win again this big fella.
David Haye and Floyd Mayweather jr are of the same trade mark more on talking rather than fighting.More on asking unusual demands which are not even part of professional boxing bodies.trying to set their own rules.David haye and Floyd jr the twin brothers who talk a lot.You saw Danny Jacobs [zero loss ] being LAMBASTED by a young Russian boy[ Dimitry Pirog ] ?
I have watched many of Ali fights, I feel no matter how quick the guy is 8 out if 10 Ali loss against W. Klitscko
Filipinos know a duck when they see one
Ya?
Haye is KFC scared.
HAye accused of Pacman on PED
Haye, he, he, he
Haye will run and duck, too.
Same feather with KFC
Ya
Right
Can The great Muhamad Ali win against Wladimir Klitscko??????
who cares
The Klitsckos are mediocre, but lucky. They are fighting at a time that no heavyweight boxer the likes of Ali, Marciano, etc will pummel them. They have been beating upstarts & journeymen. I don't care who they beat.
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