Bruce LudlowKLITSCHKO KO's RAHMAN
December 15th 2008 01:58
IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) easily stopped former champion Hasim Rahman (45-7, 36 KOs) in the seventh round on Saturday night at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany.
The Ukrainian boxer has started the fight very confidently, keeping Rahman at a long distance and constantly connecting with his best punch - the left jab. Wladimir also frequently landed the right. Rahman had little luck reaching Klitschko. Having taken the bout on three week's notice, "The Rock" was sluggish and slow.
Rahman laid on the ropes absorbing punishment for almost the entire third round, much to the dismay of the spectators. Klitschko threw out a considerable quantity of blows, many of which connected to Rahman's chin. In the beginning of the sixth round, Rahman took three successive left hooks from Wladimir and tumbled to the deck. "The Rock" was up again at seven, only to take more hammering the rest of the round.
In the seventh round, Klitschko staggered Rahman again and referee Tony Weeks made the decision to finish the beating. Hasim argued and wished to continue fighting. Yes, he was still standing, but he had taken many blows.
"Now there are many boxers whom I am ready to meet," said Wlad afterward, "David Haye, Chris Arreola, Alexander Povetkin, I am ready to fight any of them."
Vitali Klitschko, who was to have boxed against The Rock in November 2005, informed Fightnews.com "Today Wladimir showed Rahman everything that I would have done. When I damaged my knee and couldn't box with him, the American boxer spoke bad about me to journalists. Wladimir has avenged that for me."
With the win, Wladimir Klitschko confirmed his position at the top of the heavyweight division. He could fight against Alexander Povetkin as soon as July 2009.
Rahman has now likely lost his last chance to again become world champion. Based on Saturday's performance, little remains from the boxer who knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001.
The Ukrainian boxer has started the fight very confidently, keeping Rahman at a long distance and constantly connecting with his best punch - the left jab. Wladimir also frequently landed the right. Rahman had little luck reaching Klitschko. Having taken the bout on three week's notice, "The Rock" was sluggish and slow.
Rahman laid on the ropes absorbing punishment for almost the entire third round, much to the dismay of the spectators. Klitschko threw out a considerable quantity of blows, many of which connected to Rahman's chin. In the beginning of the sixth round, Rahman took three successive left hooks from Wladimir and tumbled to the deck. "The Rock" was up again at seven, only to take more hammering the rest of the round.
In the seventh round, Klitschko staggered Rahman again and referee Tony Weeks made the decision to finish the beating. Hasim argued and wished to continue fighting. Yes, he was still standing, but he had taken many blows.
"Now there are many boxers whom I am ready to meet," said Wlad afterward, "David Haye, Chris Arreola, Alexander Povetkin, I am ready to fight any of them."
Vitali Klitschko, who was to have boxed against The Rock in November 2005, informed Fightnews.com "Today Wladimir showed Rahman everything that I would have done. When I damaged my knee and couldn't box with him, the American boxer spoke bad about me to journalists. Wladimir has avenged that for me."
With the win, Wladimir Klitschko confirmed his position at the top of the heavyweight division. He could fight against Alexander Povetkin as soon as July 2009.
Rahman has now likely lost his last chance to again become world champion. Based on Saturday's performance, little remains from the boxer who knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001.
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