THE FIGHT THAT MADE KLITSCHKO
KNOCKOUT power is an aphrodisiac in boxing. And the heavyweights are boxing’s flagship division. Because of these realities, a lot of dreams were riding on Samuel Peter’s broad shoulders when he arrived at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on the night of September 24, 2005, to fight Wladimir Klitschko.
Peter was born into a middle-class family in Nigeria and is one of the two best heavyweights ever to come out of Africa. Ike Ibeabuchi is the other. He was a promising soccer player, fast and strong, until an adolescent knee injury ended his hopes for turf glory. Then he turned to boxing and came to the United States in 2001 to pursue his ring career. Prior to fighting Klitschko, he had 24 wins in 24 fights with 21 knockouts.
A likeable man with a ready smile, Peter was married with two children. At times, it appeared as though his cell phone was surgically attached to his ear.
“I’m a happy person,” Samuel said. “I grew up with a good mother and a good father. They taught me to respect my elders and be humble. They loved me and taught me about God. To be a good person gets you to heaven.” As for residing in the United States, he declared, “It’s a great life here. Someday, I
