by James Slater – A few hours ago, in Chengdu, China, Ray “The Rain Man” Austin beat the odds and did likewise to Poland’s Andrew Golota. Knocking Golota down in the opening few seconds of the very first round and then battering the 40-year-old mercilessly until the bell, Austin made Golota quit. Golota was unable to come out for the 2nd round due to an injured left arm – very possibly a dislocation – and Austin was declared the TKO winner..
Improving his record to 26-4-4(17) the 38-year-old won his second fight in a row after his failed title shot last year against IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko. Golota, who fell to 41-7-1(33), has almost certainly fought his last fight.
The question is, what now for the seemingly rejuvenated Austin? Sure, his beating Golota is no earth mover, but Austin was the underdog going in and he got the job done fast. Austin certainly looked a whole lot better than he did when challenging “Dr. Steel Hammer” in March of last year. Could a second shot at a version of the world title even be on the cards for the 38-year-old? Reportedly, WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev was looking seriously at fighting Golota in his upcoming December 20th defence, but now that Austin has wrecked such plans will he get the shot instead? Most fans would probably prefer that scenario as opposed to the potentially awful spectacle that would be Valuev Vs. Evander Holyfield.
Of course, Austin would enter a prospective bout with the Russian Colossus as a considerable outsider, but he at least has been active as of late, he has been winning and he deserves a shot at the giant far more than the ancient and inactive “Real Deal” does. Also, at 6’6″ and approx 230-pounds, Austin would not be dwarfed by Valuev as severely as Holyfield would. Maybe Valuev should box someone entirely different from the two options presented here, but Austin deserves something of a big fight reward before his career is over.
The Klitschko disaster aside, when he was taken out in just 2 rounds, Austin has proven to be a pretty decent fighter. Wins over Owen Beck, Jo-El Scott and now Golota aren’t bad, and neither are draws with good fighters, Sultan Ibragimov, Larry Donald and Lance Whitaker. Indeed, if he hadn’t been such an unexpected letdown against Klitschko last March fans would likely be saying Austin was due a title shot.
Now that he’s (almost) certainly seen off the always dangerous Golota, who looked good in his last win, over Mike Mollo, Austin may well have put himself in line for a second crack at world glory.