By James Slater: Samuel Peter, the former WBC heavyweight champ who was last seen being hammered to defeat inside ten painful rounds by a dominant Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, will likely get a chance to launch his comeback in the country of his recent loss, in April.
According to reports in a Finnish newspaper, Sauerland Event have sanctioned a clash between Peter and their unbeaten hope Robert Helenius. The fight looks set to go on the under-card of the Marco Huck-Giacobbe Fragomeni WBO cruiserweight title fight on April 2nd.
Peter, still only 30-years-old, and 34-4(27) overall, took quite a pounding from “Dr. Steel Hammer” back in September, and many fans felt they would never see him box in a significant fight again. However, almost immediately after the 10th-round KO his man had suffered, Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotzev said his man can beat any heavyweight out there not named Klitschko. And now, against the hugely tall (6.6.5”) 27-year-old with the 14-0(9) pro record, Peter will get his chance to perhaps earn one last run at a major belt/fight. The April fight will not be an easy one for the significantly smaller man, though (Peter stands at an official 6’2”).
Helenuis, a fine amateur, will be taking a pretty big step up in class by facing Peter, but the fight could be coming at just the right time for the big Finnish heavyweight who has fought alternately in his homeland and in Germany. A pro since just May of 2008, “The Nordic Nightmare” has been moved pretty fast already. His biggest win to date came in his eleventh pro outing, when he managed to TKO “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in the 8th-round last January. The ultra-experienced Brewster, the former WBO heavyweight champ, announced his retirement some months after this loss.
This win, along with ones over good fighters such as Scott Gammer, the previously unbeaten Gregory Tony and the useful Gbenga Oloukun (who also holds a win over Brewster) proves Helenius can fight. Now, against the murderous-punching Peter, the Swedish contender will get the chance to prove he can not only hang with, but defeat, a big-hitting, big name.
Peter, who has been halted only by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, will know he has to win this fight or face a slow fade into oblivion. There will surely be no further chances to rebuild if Peter loses this fight. We have questions about how much Peter – who has often fought while much overweight – has left, just as we have questions about how Helenius’ chin will hold up if caught by the type of bomb his forthcoming opponent can deliver at any time.
This fight is a must-win affair for both guys, and the action could prove to be more interesting than that of the main event. Peter’s power can never be discounted, but the younger, fresher, more ambitious man should be able to secure a victory in early April. Helenius on points; if he can avoid making any mistakes Peter can capitalise on.