Klitschko vs. Peter On ESPN on Sept. 11

WBO/IBF/Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make his next title defense against former WBC champ Samuel Peter on September 11 in Germany. The bout which will be broadcast by ESPN (likely delayed telecast) in the United States is a rematch of a 2005 fight in Atlantic City, NJ where Klitschko scored a unanimous decision over Peter in a match that featured three knockdowns by Peter. That fight was a WBO/IBF eliminator and launched Klitschko to regain the IBF title from Chris Byrd.

Peter later won the WBC title from Oleg Maskaev but surrendered it in October 2008 to Vitali Klitschko in Berlin. Peter wasn’t able to continue the fight for round nine – becoming one of the few world heavyweight champions to give up his title while sitting on his stool.

Peter (34-3, 27 KO’s), who will turn 30 the week of the fight with Wladimir, replaces IBF #1 contender Alexander Povetkin who backed out of the fight. David Haye, the WBA champ, previously backed out of the chance to fight Wladimir by refusing to sign the contract, so Peter is actually the third man choice of an opponent.

34-year-old Wladimir has a record of 54-3, 48 KO’s.