Klitschko defended the champion title, knocking Austin

Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko brilliantly won in the second round by knockout the fight against American Ray Austin, protecting the world champion in the version of the IBF International Boxing Federation in heavyweight.

The fight took place tonight in the sports arena of the German city of Mannheim in the presence of 16 thousand spectators, including numerous celebrities from the world of sports and show business. Fans of boxing in more than 100 countries observed direct television broadcasting.

This was the second defense of the title for Klitschko, which he won on April 22, 2006 in a battle with the American Chris Bird and defended on November 11 in a duel with his compatriot Kalvin Brock.

Before today's fight, the 30-year-old Ukrainian boxer living in Germany had 47 victories (42 knockout) and 3 defeats. On the account of a 36-year-old American who, according to the Bild newspaper, was almost 5 years old in a prison for drug trafficking and car theft, 24 victories (16 knockout), 3 defeats and 4 draws were listed.

“My opponent promised a lot before the match, so I prepared diligently. I am glad to result. I hope that the audience is also satisfied. Maybe everything happened too quickly, but this is a heavy weight and this can happen,” Klitschko said in German after the unexpected completion of the match.

Austin at that moment with a detached look sat in the corner of the ring, apparently not understanding to the end of what was happening. A few days before the battle, he boastfully stated: "I feel like a stronger than ever. Klitschko has no spirit and character of a real fighter. He has a crystal chin. I am going to knock him out."

However, everything happened as Klitschko foresaw and his coach Emanuel Stuard. The Ukrainian boxer simply promised a “hard and uncompromising fight”, and his coach suggested before the match in an interview with German television that the battle would last no more than five rounds.

The great German football player Franz Beckenbauer watched the stands of the Mankham Arena, who reported in the television interview that he was attending only the second boxing match over the past 30 years.

The anthem of Ukraine before the start of the match right in the ring was performed by singer Ruslan, ITAR-TASS reports.