Less than two rounds
For Wladimir Klitschko, the fight with Austin became the second defense of the title, since in April last year he won the IBF championship belt in the fight with Chris Byrd.
But initially it was planned that during these periods the Ukrainian heavyweight would have a duel of a completely different meaning - with the Russian WBC champion Oleg Maskaev. Negotiations about their unifying battle have been ongoing since August. And, when the parties have already agreed on almost everything, the regulation took a weighty word. He forced both boxers to conduct first mandatory, according to the rules of both federations, title defenses.
The contender for the Klitschko belt approved 36-year-old American Ray Austin. He spent 31 fights during his career: 24 won (16 by KO), 4 ended in a draw and 3 lost. Last time Ray entered the ring in July against Sultan Ibragimov. And in that fight, unexpectedly for many, he achieved a draw. Representatives of Ibragimov announced then that the sensation could not do without rigging the results, which involved Austin promoter - the notorious Don King.
King, and on the eve of the new battle of his client, was perhaps the main trump card in his gloves. But Klitschko decided not to play long gambling with the Americans. In the first round, he felt the opponent’s defense with jabs and only once disturbed him with a powerful hook in the neck.
With the start of the second round, the jabs of Klitschko became tougher. Austin could only back off and finally cling to the ropes. Noticing that the opponent lost concentration for a moment, Klitschko carried out a swift series of three left side into the head. Austin collapsed and was able to rise from the floor only after the judge counted to ten.
The rules are followed by the champion. Now he can again choose opponents in unification fights. And since the elder brother Vitaly, who recently announced the resumption of his career, has already seized the right to fight Oleg Maskaev from Vladimir, it is possible that we will see the same battle between Vladimir Klitschko and Nikolai Valuev, the reality of which until recently some have believed.
Less than a minute
No less spectacular and even faster was the victory of the 32-year-old Sultan Ibragimov. The official contender for the WBO championship belt, Ibragimov, would be glad to meet with a completely different opponent that evening - title holder Shannon Briggs. However, a few weeks before the scheduled fight, Briggs referred to health problems and rescheduled the meeting - presumably to one of the summer months.
The promoters of the Russian boxer had to urgently look for the Sultan of another opponent. They chose the mighty Mexican Javier Moru, nicknamed Monster with a career of 26 fights: 21 wins (17 by knockout), 1 draw, 3 losses.
Mora was so inspired by the honor he showed that from the very first seconds he threw himself into the attack. And he was immediately knocked down by the exact blow of Ibrahimov. The Mexican got up and showed that he could continue. But the Sultan decided not to entertain the opponent with hope and a series of powerful blows to the Monster’s body, forcing the referee to stop the match already at the 46th second of the first round.
It's time to "treat" Briggs.
Andrey IVANTSOV