Interim World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion,Samuel Peter, says he will ``beat up'''' former WBC champion, Oleg Maskaev, on Saturday in Mexico. Peter and Maskaev are scheduled to slug it out on March 8 in Cancun, Mexico, for the undisputed WBC heavyweight belt.
According to a copy of a transcript of a news conference by the Nigerian pugilist, he said: ``I am coming to fight on Saturday night and I promise I am going to beat you (Maskaev) up and I mean it I will beat you up''''.
``I have been fighting for seven years and I have never ducked anyone. I hope you are planning to come to the fight on Saturday, because you can run no more,'''' he was quoted as telling his opponent.
On his part, Maskaev said he would also knock out Peter to prove his supremacy.
``I am stronger than Peter, so I am going to win without any boast,'''' he said.
Meanwhile, Peter''s co-trainer, Pops Anderson, today spoke on the current form of ``The Nigerian Nightmare'''', saying: ``he is sharp like a razor. ``Just watch out on Saturday for his new fighting spirit!,'''' he echoed.
Peter had recently vowed to knockout Maskaev in round three of their title fight.
``I will win convincingly for everybody to cheer. I am in good shape and in high spirit waiting to pounce on Maskaev to settle our scores once and for all,'''' .
He, however, called for the support and prayers from every Nigerian to ginger him to victory.
Maskaev has fought 39 times, won 34,26 of them by knockout, and lost five times, while Peter, has had 30 opponents, won 29 times, 22 of them through knockout. He has only lost only once.
The eventual winner will defend the title against former world champion and WBC Emeritus Champion Vitali Klitschko, who has come out of retirement.