Klitschko Solidifies Status, Stops Austin in Two

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Many pundits wondering how veteran Ray Austin (24-4-4, 16KOs) was able to land a mandatory shot at IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (48-3, 43KOs), especially since he was coming off a draw. It was called a mismatch before the fight, and a mismatch it became when the two fighters came together at the SAP-Arena in Mannheim, Germany.

It only took two rounds and several left hooks to crash Austin to the canvas. Klitschko was not happy about meeting Austin because he thought it would be an easy fight that brought nothing to the table. After the fight was over, even Klitschko admitted that it was an easier fight than he expected.

"I didn't think it would be so easy. Austin was much slower than my sparring partners," Klitschko said.

Austin did not go for broke in the first round, he stayed away and tried to box. Before Klitschko could even break a sweat in the second round, a series of left hooks against the ropes sent Austin down. He was unable to beat the count of the referee and Klitschko picked up another knockout win.

The next logical step would be to unify the heavyweight titles. In terms of making the most lucrative payday and being able to draw the most interest from the fans would certainly come a fight with undefeated Nikolai Valuev, the WBA champion. [details]

[vB Martin]

I don't know how, exactly, this victory "solidifies" his position. He defeated an unheralded, undertalented mandatory opponent in a manner that was expected. The only possible thing in this fight that could have changed Little Klit's position is if Austin had carried him 12 rounds, and that wouldn't have been a good thing.

[psychopath]

I guess the result is no longer a suprise. The survey here at BS shows that a lot of people believes Austin won't survive.

And so it did happen.

[Undefeated]

With one hand. A ****ing expert.

[PBDS]

I don't know how, exactly, this victory "solidifies" his position. He defeated an unheralded, undertalented mandatory opponent in a manner that was expected. The only possible thing in this fight that could have changed Little Klit's position is if Austin had carried him 12 rounds, and that wouldn't have been a good thing.

...Aaaah, just give Wlad some respect. You and I both know that your ready to do just that. Come out of the Klit closet and profess your love you ******* nancy boy. Austin just drew with a guy that is currently a highly respected heavy in Sultan Ibragimov, and Wlad just crushed Austin. Either Sultan sucks or Wlad is truly the man. Actually, Sultan may indeed suck.

[mic573]

I don't see how beating Austin solidifies anyone's status. Klitschko may be the best out there right now but his win today doesn't mean much.

[vB Martin]

...Aaaah, just give Wlad some respect. You and I both know that your ready to do just that. Come out of the Klit closet and profess your love you ******* nancy boy. Austin just drew with a guy that is currently a highly respected heavy in Sultan Ibragimov, and Wlad just crushed Austin. Either Sultan sucks or Wlad is truly the man. Actually, Sultan may indeed suck.

I do have respect for Little Klit now that he has learned a little about patience and using the gifts he has rather than trying to go in there and blow everyone away, but I can't give him credit for beating someone like Austin, because Austin didn't deserve to be in there to begin with. I'm not that enamored of Ibragimov, so I don't see that as a great notch on Austin's belt.

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Klitschko solidified his status as the best out there. He handled Austin like a sparring session, while others like Sultan, Donald barely pulled out a draw. If Sultan wins, we get to watch him fight Briggs.

[vB Martin]

Klitschko solidified his status as the best out there. He handled Austin like a sparring session, while others like Sultan, Donald barely pulled out a draw. If Sultan wins, we get to watch him fight Briggs.

I don't think the expectation was for anything more than a glorified sparring session, and with good reason. Austin has a long record of nobodies, and less than spectacular decisions when he steps up to fight the dregs of top heavyweights.
His best "victory" was a draw against Ibragimov, who really had fought nobody special. His best win coming against a very crappy Goofi.

Why would anyone expect anything more than a quick Wlad KO in this fight? The only thing that even made the fight compelling was that Austin is a very large man who stood a puncher's chance against Wlad's infamous chin.

[dino]

Ray Austin is a bum