By Dave Lahr: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO’s) attempted to get under the skin of former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Samuel Peter (34-3, 27 KO’s) at Monday’s press conference for their fight this Saturday at the Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany. Klitschko, 34, said this to the 29-year-old Peter:

“You can touch [talking about his two title belts], you can take pictures with them. That’s your birthday and I allow you to do anything you want, almost anything.” Peter refused to take the bait and lose his cool, saying “I don’t have much to say. I just want to thank Klitschko and my crew. You know, it’s gonna be a good fight. I just want everybody to come out. It’s gonna be an excellent, classic fight. Thank you.” Peter showed pure class by not getting riled.

In the old days, Peter probably would have blown his top at the way that Wladimir spoke to him, but this is the new and improved Peter. He knows he’s going to win this Saturday and he knows he’s going to knock Wladimir out cold. Wladimir barely beat Peter five years ago by a narrow 12 round decision. Peter has improved immensely since then, knows what he did wrong in that fight, and has fixed those flaws in his game. Peter’s physique is better now than it ever was even during the start of his career. He’s totally lean without much fat on his 6’2” frame. That’s bad news for Klitschko, who had his hands full last time he fought then chunky Peter in 2005. Wladimir may seem cocky now, but it’s probably just a big front from him. He’s trying to get any extra edge he can because Peter s going to be stalking him like a caged tiger going after a little lamb.

You can expect to see Wladimir running for his life this Saturday night in Frankfurt. His jabs won’t keep Peter off him and his clinches won’t work, because Peter will keep pounding him while Wladimir attempts to hold on. Emanuel Steward, Wladimir’s trainer, is really worried about him for this fight and he should be. Steward knows that there are no more tricks that Wladimir can use to beat Peter. He just exhausted the last two that he had in his tool box. Now Wladimir will have to fight Peter if he wants to get out of the ring with his two belts still in his possession on Saturday.

My guess is that Wladimir will run until legs can no longer carry him. He will then fight and go down swinging. To get a preview of what this Saturday’s fight will be like take a look at Wladimir’s 11th round knockout loss to Ross Puritty from 1998. That will give you a pretty good idea what will be happening to Wladimir against Peter.