Klitschko v Austin Today!

I'm looking forward to this bout, though many call it a mismatch. Ray "Rainman" Austin, as will most any heavyweight of size, will definitely have a puncher's chance against the oft-rattled Wladmir. I'm predicting a sixth-roound KO win for Wlad, but anything could happen. Austin getting this fight is just another example of how insanity rules the roost at the IBF. Austin simply has not done anything to justify his being the IBF's mandatory challenger. Austin has size, and he can take a punch, and it may be that he's thought to be a better foil for Klitschko than the dozens of better fighters in the division. While Austin looked to have improved in his recent draw with Sultan Ibragimov, he has never had a victory over an opponent of note, unless you count Owen "What the Heck" Beck, which I don't.

Elsewhere among the heavyweight strap-holders, it looks like Nikolai Valuev will be in the ring with Ruslan "The White Tyson" Chagaev on April 14 (the same date as our Manny Pacquiao boxing funfest, to which all reading this are invited). Chagaev could well finally topple the gentle giant, but I'm expecting a Valuev decision, or perhaps a late-round KO. Chagaev has wowed some folks with his gym work, but his pro career lacks notable knockouts. He did win a split-decision over Johnny Louise, but I don't think that translates into much of a chance against Valuev. If Valuev can establish his jab, he'll win a close one.

Shannon Briggs is still nursing his damaged lungs, Lamon Brewster is still rebuilding himself after his "eye-popping" loss to the now-hiding Serguei Lyakhovich (the guy Briggs beat down to take the belt that Brewster took from Klitschko).

Oleg Maskaev may be fighting again soon, but whether it will be an un-retired champion Vitali Klitschko or the deserving contender Samuel Peter remains to be seen. Peter has earned his shot, and while I'm no fan of his clumsy and questionably legal style, I whole-heartedly endorse him as Maskaev's next mandatory challenger.