Klitschko vs Austin (March 10)

[H2O Man]

SATURDAY - at Mannheim, Germany (HBO) - 12 rounds,
IBF heavyweight title: Wladimir Klitschko (47-3, 42 KOs) vs.
Ray Austin (24-3-4, 16 KOs).

This Saturday, Wladimir Klitschko defends his "title" against Ray Austin. On paper, it seems like a fight that Klitschko should win easily. He is in his prime, and people remember that he looked impressive in knocking out his last two opponents. Austin, on the other hand, is relatively unknown, and isn't known for dynamic victories over serious competition.

However, in the ring, there is a possibility that Austin could make it an interesting fight. Austin had been selected as a stepping stone for Sultan Ibragimov in 2006; Ibragimov was going to be introduced to the American fans in the televised bout, and then get a shot at one of the (non)titles that litter the sport. Instead, Austin proved to be a difficult foe, and in a strange bout that many people felt Ray won, he was given a draw. (Sultan fights Javier Mora {21-3-1, 17 KOs} in NYC on 3-10, after Shannon Briggs had to postpone defending his "title" due to illness.)

Ray Austin reminds me of the top 1960s heavyweight contender Ernie Terrell. He's big, slow, strong, and it is next to impossible to look good fighting him. He is as tall as Klitschko, has about an equal reach, and is around the same weight. He hasn't lost a fight for several years. More: he has trained extremely hard for this fight, reportedly dropping over 30 lbs in the last 8 weeks.

Klitschko has one of the best trainers in boxing, Emanuel Steward. Since getting Manny in his camp, Klitschko has definitely improved as a fighter. Steward is particularly gifted in preparing taller fighters to face shorter foes. This fight has the potential to provide more difficulty, as Wladimir tends to have a more difficult time fighting guys his own size.

There is no way that Steward has not prepared Klitschko for this fight. Wladimir won't be entering the ring out of shape, or unaware of what Ray Austin brings to the contest. He is faster than Austin, and has far better basic tools -- the best example is Ray's bad habit of dropping his hands, and leaning over .... I think Klitschko's uppercuts could end the fight.

But I do not think it would be surprising to see Ray Austin make it a difficult fight. Reports indicate he is unhappy that the "experts" aren't giving him any chance to beat Klitschko. It may be that he will surprise people this weekend.

What are your predictions?

[TSIAS]

1. I'm interested in this fight

In case DU doesn't know, HBO is broadcasting this fight live at 4:45 ET from Manheim, Germany. They will re-air this bout at 10:00 E/T in their World Championship Boxing telecast. I won't be home at 5:00, so I'll catch the re-broadcast later. Originally, they planned to air this as part of a HW title doubleheader, along with Briggs/Ibragimov. But as H20 Man pointed out, Briggs had to pull out due to illness.

Klitschko comes in anywhere from a 7-1 to 10-1 favorite to win this bout. On paper, this looks to be a relative mismatch. Austin's record is littered with losses and draws against fringe HW contenders. However, Austin does come in with a similar height and reach as Klitschko (around 6'6", 81"). That's not the dimensions of a fighter that Klitschko regularly faces.

I'd go with Klitschko by late-round KO or Unanimous Decision. I haven't seen anything to suggest that Austin has the tools to handle the consensus #1 HW in the world.

I do thank H20 Man for giving me renewed interest in this bout. Originally, I feared this fight would be of the same boring variety of Klitschko's 11/06 fight against Calvin Brock. Still, it's hard to find a good reason to pick against Wladimir Klitschko in this affair.

There's not much else going on in boxing this weekend. Due to the conference championships in basketball, ESPN2 isn't airing their weekly Friday Night fights series.

I had to laugh when I read that sideshow attraction Butterbean weighed in at nearly 420 pounds for his fight this weekend. I still slap myself for paying $25 for Butterbean vs. Larry Holmes nearly 4 years ago.

[H2O Man]

2. This is a fight

where nothing will surprise me. Klitschko could end it in the first round, as Austin is slow, drops his hands, and bends sideways. He is often a slow-motion moving target. Klitschko isn't a big banger for a guy his size, but he can hurt anyone he hits.

I would also see fouls -- I'm thinking of a "butt" -- as being a potential factor. The size and styles of these warriors makes it possible, perhaps likely, that Austin will open a cut on Klitschko's face.

I agree that Klitschko will most likely win. A TKO late or decision is probably right. But I think Steward probably is preparing Klitschko to take Austin out in the middle rounds. The longer the fight goes, the better Austin's chances, I think.

[H2O Man]

3. Semi-finals

of the NYS Eastern Division of the Golden Gloves tonight.

[TSIAS]

4. Klitschko 246.5, Austin 247!

Career high for Wladimir Klitschko.

[H2O Man]

7. Interesting.

I think it will be worth watching.

What do you make of the heavier weight for Wladimir? Is it that he didn't train properly? Or that he wants the extra size and strength for a potentially rough fight?

[TSIAS]

8. It wouldn't concern me

Unlike his last two fights against rather light Heavyweights in Byrd and Brock, he's taking on a bigger man in Austin.

However, I could see where he might overlook Austin. Klitschko hasn't had an "easy fight" since his 2005 bout with Eliseo Castillo. Still, I'm not sure if Austin has the skills to beat Klitschko on his worst day.

There have been some interesting developments in the last day or so. There was a dispute over whether to use Reyes gloves, which Austin preferred, or Klitschko's choice of Grant gloves. There was speculation that the fight might be called off, but that never appeared to be a serious possibility. In the end, Klitschko won a coin toss and will wear the Grant gloves. I've never really understood the big difference. Reyes is supposedly the "puncher's glove". My guess is that we're seeing Klitschko's team playing mind games with his opponent, similar to an incident before his fight with Samuel Peter.

Basically, Austin will need to get lucky and land one big punch that changes the fight. With his size and strength, it's always a chance. Most likely, I see Klitschko slowly breaking down his man and getting a stoppage in the latter half of the fight. I don't think Klitschko will give Austin much of an opportunity to land the big shot.

[H2O Man]

9. I agree

with everything except the last "easy fight." Chris Byrd was no longer a serious threat to even the ungifted large heavyweights, and hadn't had an impressive win in a long time. I don't think there is anything safer or easier than fighting a significantly smaller guy who is long past his prime.

I do think Klitschko could win very early. Austin doesn't keep his hands up, throws punches that he leaves out for way too long, and bends over unprotected. But he has skills when he is motivated, and is big and strong. It'll be interesting. Enjoy the fight!

[TSIAS]

10. Agreed

I guess I included Byrd because he has a name in the division and held one of the belts. You're right that Byrd never had a shot. He was completely dominated in their 2000 fight and it was even more pronounced last April. Byrd made his name off of his upset over Vitali and didn't do much great after that. The only other really big win was against Tua when he was still a name in the division, but that was many moons ago. Byrd got lost in the Don King stable of Heavyweights and was never really that attractive of a fighter to fans.

[H2O Man]

11. I thought he

made a strong case for dividing the heavyweight division into two.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. I remember Ernie Terrell

A big, big man, taller than Ali. The latter part of his fight with Ali is a great part of boxing history: "What's my name?" "What's my name, chump?" "What's my name?"

[H2O Man]

6. Yep.

Terrell fought a lot of top contenders, though he is certainly best remembered for taking the severe whipping from an angry Ali.

Two of his more interesting bouts were against the dangerous Texas heavyweight, Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams. They split their two matches. Most of his fights were not works of art, and no one but Ali seemed to have enjoyed fighting Ernie.

His talented sister Tammi sang with the Supremes and with Marvin Gaye.

[TSIAS]

12. SPOILER

Well, that was pretty quick. Klitschko won by devastating 2nd Round KO. One punch was all it took. I was surprised with how slow Austin looked. It turned out to be the mismatch that most experts expected it to be. Just another example of the brilliance of the IBF sanctioning body, who deemed Austin to be the most deserving fighter to face Klitschko.

Still, that was an impressive left hook that floored Austin. Lets hope that the beltholders can come together and fight each other in the near future. I still want to see Klitschko vs. Shannon Briggs.

[H2O Man]

13. Slow, with his hands

down, and bending over .... Austin became an easy target.

I think Austin earned the shot in his last fight. He was brought in as a "warm up," and though the fight was scored a draw, he seemed to have won.

Klitschko seems willing to fight the other guys with "titles." Of course, he had the opportunity to fight Briggs last year, and he opted not to. I think he is looking for a bout with Valuev. That would actually be good for the sport right now.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. Video of second round

Pleaase click here and scroll down.