GL: You're finally going to be fighting for the WBC heavyweight title against Oleg Maskaev. Can you give us some thoughts on that? "It's great for me to have the opportunity to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. I've earned the shot and I'm glad this is going to be happening soon because I wanted to be champion of the world already. I know they say the fight could go to a purse-bid, but I just want to fight now. I want to be champion now."

GL: Do you feel like your career has been on hold while all this BS has been going on?

Samuel Peter: "Yeah, they brought all kind of things to slow it up but this year I will be heavyweight champion of the world. They gave him every opportunity to fight somebody else, but now there's nowhere to run."

GL: Does this fight with Maskaev go the distance?

SP: "I don't know what's going to happen and I don't really want to talk about what's going to happen until he signs the contract."

GL: Are you hoping that Vitali Klitschko wants to fight you as much as he seemed to desire the Maskaev fight?

SP: "I don't worry about that, I don't care about him right now. I just want to do the right thing when I get into the ring."

GL: The WBC should give you a discount on their sanctioning fee due to their tardiness in ordering this fight.

SP: (laughing very hard) "That's what I am talking about my brother, that's why I like talking to you."

GL: What kind of shape are you in right now?

SP: "I'm in shape to fight and that's why I'm telling you I'm ready for him tomorrow. You're going to see another Samuel Peter in this fight. That day will be a very nice day for me and all of Africa."

GL: Have the 24 rounds you've just had with James Toney made you a more complete fighter?

SP: "I think so, becuase James Toney has a more difficult style than Maskaev. I want to thank God for those fights, that guy was so slick and very strong even though he's not that big."

GL:What did you think about Maskaev's fight with Rahman?

SP: "It was okay. I just think God wanted him to win. It was meant for him to win that fight, but it's meant for me to become champion right now."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

SP: "I want to thank you for interviewing me all the time and I want to thank all of my fans for their love. I want to thank God for the opportunity to become champion and in my next fight I will be heavyweight champion of the world."

M

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