IBF heavyweight mandatory challenger, Ray “Rainman” Austin, is in Germany for his fight with Klitschko, the champion, on Saturday.
Are you looking forward to this fight? I can’t really say that I am getting too excited….
Apparently Austin is looking in great shape, this is according to his trainer. He trainer, Stacey McKinley is the same man who trained Samuel Peters for his second fight with James Toney, when Peters looked like a brand new boxer. McKinley claims that he has done a similar thing with Austin, who will be able to stand eye to eye with Klitschko and a massive 6 foot 6 inches tall.
McKinely said, “Ray has always been a big, strong, rangy heavyweight, just ask anybody who has ever sparred with him. Now we took this man out of Cleveland and secluded him in South Florida for an extended training camp just like we did with Sam Peter. I’m telling you Ray Austin is a dangerous man right now. I’m feeling an upset brewing.”
Austin added, “Klitschko has a soft heart and a weak chin and I’m going to knock him out, I’m not one of these inexperienced, undersized heavyweight contenders. I’m not Calvin Brock. I’m not a 213-pound Chris Byrd, either.
“I’m a full-grown heavyweight. The last time Klitschko faced a man his weight was against Samuel Peter, who knocked him down three times while giving away five inches in height. Same thing when Lamon Brewster knocked him out.
“It was raining when we arrived in Germany. That’s an omen. Some rain is going to fall on Klitschko real soon. I’ve got a plan. Now it’s time to execute it.”
Well Austin and his coach certainly seem super confident, but let’s face it Ray Austin has yet to impress boxing fans with his (23-3-4, 16 KOs) boxing record. He has not won any fights against big fighters so I do not rate him that highly. However if he wins on Saturday then of course that will change.
Klitschko is probably the best heavyweight around, but the trouble is that we need to see some unification fights as a different boxers hold each of the belts. Instead of the IBF interfering with this pathetic “mandatory” challenge, Klitschko should be fighting, Oleg Maskaev, Shannon Briggs or anyone else with a title or good boxing skills to show that he is the best in the division. In fact I would rather see Klitschko fight Samuel Peters than Austin, who I think is a much more promising heavyweight.
Wladimir Klitschko said : “I am enjoying being back at this hotel in Heidelberg. We stayed here last year for the fight with Chris Byrd where I won the title.
“I’m really looking forward to Saturday night because I love this sport. The sport of boxing means so much to me.”
When asked, “Are you the one and only heavyweight champion?” he said:
“I really don’t want to comment. [Wouldnt a true champion have said Yes 100% I am King?] I’m in the sport. I’m looking forward to the fight ahead of me. That’s for other people to judge. There is a lot of work to be done. I keep hearing the same questions. I always prepare carefully. I’m impatient. I want to get back into the ring.
“Height does not make a difference during the fight. This subject is addressed in the training leading up to the fight.”
Well I think that height does make a bit of difference, but training and preparations are the most important thing.
Emanuel Steward (Wladimir Klitschko’s trainer): “We have a great deal of respect for Ray Austin, more than Ray apparently has for Wlad judging by his comments at the first press conference. I have the same respect for Ray that we had for Chris Byrd.”
Is that a sly joke? Chris Byrd looked poor against Klitschko in my opinion!
Steward added: “Those watching the fight are going to be lucky enough to see the emergence of one of the greatest heavyweights ever, Wladimir Klitschko.”
Well perhaps Klitschko is one of best ever, but I would seriously dispute that.
What makes a great boxer? The answer is great fights! Take Muhammad Ali for example. Without the Thrilla in Manilla, without the Rumble in the Jungle, with the fights with Liston, Patterson, Cooper, Johansson would Ali be remembered as he is today? I doubt it. Great fighters are remembered for their great fights against other great fighters, not for their belts. Ricky Hatton is doing the right thing, as he gave up his IBF title to fight Castillo, a well respected boxer, instead of keeping it to fight some nobody the IBF selected.
So in conclusion, I am not really looking forward to this fight, as I don’t think either of the boxers are much good. Both still have a lot to prove before any boxing fans give them much respect or recognition at all.
What do you think?
