09.08.07 – PHOTO BY SUMIO YAMADA – Samuel Peter (28-1, 22 KOs): “This fight is very important to me because I have to take over this division. I have been working a long time for this opportunity. I was born a fighter, I was born a champion. I feel that I went to school for boxing and come October 6, it is time for me to graduate.
“This is the world championship fight, SHOWTIME has given me this opportunity and SHOWTIME will have the next new WBC heavyweight champion and then the future world Champion. This will be the best fight SHOWTIME is going to have. Everything has come together in my fighting game. I can beat anyone, anytime. I will knock anyone out. I will knock Maskaev out in round three, I will stop him.
“Come October 6, I will show you what will happen and then I will take on the next champion..”
Don King
(Regarding the Oct. 6 fight card and the overall boxing schedule for Fall 2007)
“Boxing had lost its heroes. This fight on Oct. 6 is a resurrection of sorts. We are resurrecting and re-establishing the heroes of the heavyweight division.
“The quiet atmosphere of the past few years was only a pause for refreshing. These fights (upcoming boxing calendar) demonstrate that boxing is here to stay. Boxing is alive and kicking… NO! Boxing is alive and PUNCHING!”
Oleg Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs)
“We have a couple of different plans going into this fight. My trainer knows everything, he will be guiding me throughout the fight and as he sees it. He will adjust which pace I should go, either slow or fast. Other than that, I am not about to give away our strategies.
“All my fights are different. I adjust according to the opponent. I have worked very hard to prepare for this fight. I am in great shape.
“I have everything, not just speed; I have that as well as power, boxing and technique.
“I am the heavyweight champion right now. If you lose any fight, it means you will lose your title. So, I am committed to this fight. I am not going to lose my title.”
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev will make the second defense of his title against WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Oct. 6 in a highly anticipated championship match scheduled for 12 rounds.
Tickets priced at $400, $250, $150, $100 and $50 (more than 14,000 tickets will be $150 or less!) will go on sale soon at the Garden box office and all Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-7171, 201-507-8900, 631-888-9000, or 914-454-3388. Ticketmaster purchases are subject to convenience charges.
The main event will also be televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and is being promoted by Don King Productions and Duva Boxing in association with Madison Square Garden.