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Dr. Steelhammer To Share The World With Dr. Ironfist
TUE March 13, BUSTER PARIS - The baseline is unmistakably Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (song is ‘Can’t Stop’); it’s heavy, deep and masterly pounded as it is blared through the speakers of the SAP-Arena in Mannheim, Germany. The light show blinds and dazzles the thousands in attendance and the millions watching worldwide as Dr. Steelhammer marches intensely towards the squared circle, towards a doomed man and towards history.
The music explodes in that brilliant and intoxicating Chili Pepper swoon and nothing in the world could break the intense concentration and laser beam focus of the good Doctor’s cold and uncompromising stare.
He is unaffected and inhumanly continues to march forward, ready to feed his fists, ready for battle and ready for victory.
One of the greatest fight trainers in the game, Emmanuel Stewart, runs ahead of him to hold the ring ropes open so he can easily enter. Over his shoulder is his brother, Dr. Ironfist, who as usual is working his corner.
The whole scene, from mood to names, is something out of a lost James Bond meets Gladiator flick – all that’s missing is that 007 theme music or a maniacal laugh.
Saturday - March 10, 2007 Dr. Steelhammer himself - Wladimir Klitschko (W 48 - 43 ko's & L 3) entered the ring to face his mandatory challenger – Ohio’s own Ray "The Rainman" Austin (W 24 - 16 ko's, L 4 & D 4).
On the line was the IBF & IBO Heavyweight Titles as well as the hope that eventually there will emerge a true Heavyweight Champion to unify all titles, belts and to rule the Heavyweight World.
You had to think that somewhere in Ray Austin’s mind he remembered, or maybe even tried to channel, another fellow Ohioan who shocked the world while very far away from home … Buster Douglas (defeated Mike Tyson in Japan on February 11, 1990)
After the introductions were over none of the speculation or hoopla mattered, it was just the two men – and it was up to them.
Round 1 began with a slow feeling out process, Austin was busier with a poking jab and for the first half of the round it looked like a mouse (Austin) playing with a cat (Klitschko) and everyone knew that all the cat had to do was pounce and it’d be all over – all it would take was Wladimir to launch a right hand.
The second half of the round Wlad picked up the pace and began slamming his jab into Ray’s face – winning the round.
Round 2 started with both popping the jab, but curiously both were being cautious. Then at 1:52 – Austin wound up with his right side against the ropes and facing towards Klitschko’s left, as he began to try and crouch – or bend over at the waist, Klitschko crashes a left hook smack-dab in the middle of Ray’s face.
Remember that scene in Goodfellas – when Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) drives Karen home (Lorraine Bracco) and goes across the street and just smashes the face of her neighbor/ ex-boyfriend with the butt of his gun – that was the disposition of the lefts hooks that Wladimir pounded on Austin.
Klitschko blasted off 4 more left hooks that sent Ray to the canvas – and that was all she wrote, fight over – 2nd round knockout.
Post fight it actually seemed like Klitschko was somewhat annoyed that he had to take on a mandatory challenger – he didn’t want to be disrespectful of Austin, but he wanted better, he wants to get started amassing belts, titles and victories.
And – with his brother poised on making a comeback, Wladimir commented on how he is looking forward to both brothers holding titles and belts at the same time – in other words:
Dr. Steelhammer wants to share The World with Dr. Ironfist – and at this point in time, no one … no one can stop them.
Insert maniacal laugh here.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments, questions and blueprints or plans for weather controlling machines or Doomsday devises.
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