Boxing

Vitali Klitschko to return with Peter bout

Vitali Klitschko is set to return to the ring four years after his last bout and try and reclaim his former WBC heavyweight title when he fights Nigeria's Samuel Peter in October, the challenger's manager Bernd Bonte announced on Monday.

Klitschko, who will turn 37 on July 19, will fight 27-year-old Peter in Berlin on October 11.

Klitschko, whose younger brother Vladimir retained his WBO and IBF heavyweight titles on Saturday when he knocked out American Tony Thompson in the 11th round, has not fought since he injured his back and a knee in November 2005.

He is entitled to challenge Peter - who has been champion since March 8 when he beat Russian Oleg Maskaev to earn a record of 29 victories and one defeat - immediately for the title because he retired having not lost it since he first won it in April 2004.

Klitschko - who has a record of 35 wins with 34 knockouts and just two defeats - has shared his time since his retirement between Hamburg and Kiev, where he launched an unsuccessful bid to become mayor.

The Klitschko brothers' ambition is to hold all the different bodies heavyweight world crowns - Uzbekistan's Ruslan Chagaev holds the WBA version but he is out injured for six or more months.

 
RTÉ.ie Sport: Vitali Klitschko in action against Lennox Lewis
Vitali Klitschko in action against Lennox Lewis
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