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Wladimir Klitschko successfully defended the world heavyweight championship again today in Germany, dominating Samuel Peter in a rematch and stopping the Nigerian challenger in the 10th round.
Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO) met a bit of danger in the first round, but that was it. Peter (34-4, 27 KO) came out gunning in the first couple of rounds, but ran out of steam and also was slowly and surely beaten down over the course of the fight, eventually bending to Wladimir's will, as so many have over the last four years.
It was hardly a thrilling fight, though it had its moments early on, when Wladimir met Peter's aggression with some of his own. But starting in the third round, it was the typical Klitschko domination. Peter was realistically finished after about six rounds, but held on -- literally. The fight was filled with holding and constant warnings from referee Robert Byrd, who was working his 108th "world title fight." But no point deductions ever came.
Peter was bashed until his eyes were nearly swollen shut, and after both the eighth and ninth rounds, his corner threatened to stop the fight. Lucky for them, they didn't have to. Emanuel Steward got on Klitschko's case after the ninth, which is proving to be quite the energizing tactic for the champion, as he came out and battered Peter in the 10th until finally the Nigerian went down, and the fight was stopped without a count.
It was in many ways a brave effort by Peter, but he just wasn't effective. Like everyone, he simply isn't good enough to get to Klitschko and really rattle him, and I think we saw early on when Wlad took a good left hook and came back with offense of his own, his mindset has changed. He's so good both offensively and defensively now that he appears to be unbeatable.
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