WBC heavyweight title bout: I’ll beat Maskaev for Nigeria - Peter assures ahead of Saturday’s fight

Stories by Saliu Gbadamosi, with Agency Report - 05.03.2008

Samuel PeterWORLD Boxing Council (WBC) interim heavyweight hampion, Samuel Peter says he is determined to win this Saturday's fight against Russian boxer, Oleg Maskaev for Nigeria, Africa and Las Vegas.

The twice postponed Peter/Maskaev bout comes up at the Bullring in Cancun, Mexico to determine the real WBC champion after the world body stripped Maskaev of the title following his withdrawal from the clash against the Nigerian Nightmare last October.

Speaking ahead of the March 8 long-expected bout, Peter said he was ready to punish the Russian, saying that he wanted to make Nigeria proud and proved that he was the real champion.

“It’s going to be a great fight. I’ve been waiting for this for so long," the Nigerian Nightmare told a press conference held last week to herald the bout.

“I’m really determined, because I have to win this for Nigeria, Africa and Las Vegas. For keeping me waiting, I’m going to be punishing him in rounds one, two and three and then I’ll knock him out in four.”

The Nigerian policeman insisted that if not for Maskaev keeping him (Peter) waiting, he could have unified the heavyweight boxing class since, saying: "He’s wasted my career because I could have unified all the championship belts by now. He’s been keeping me waiting and for doing that I’m going to punish him, and then I’m going to knock him out.

"No doubt about it four rounds or before that, he’s going to be gone. I’m going to send him back home! His punching will not be able to do anything to me, but I believe I’m going to drill a hole in his head.”

Meanwhile, the bout co-promoter, Dino Diva, has expressed happiness that the fight will go on now after suffering postponements in the past, adding that the Nigerian Nightmare has done everything expected of him.

“It’s been a year and a half in the coming, ever since September of 06 when Samuel beat James Toney for the first eliminator. This is going to be the first step in Samuel Peter unifying the heavyweight championship of the world.

“Samuel’s done everything that’s been asked of him and now everything’s on the line for March 8th as we finally get Oleg Maskaev in the ring.