Austin ready for Ibragimov! July 28, 2006 By Randy Hammons

Ray "The Rainman" Austin knows all about making the most of each and every opportunity. It seems the heavyweight from Cleveland has made a career out of taking fights on short notice.

But all those late substitution calls are on hold. Possibly for good.

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Austin has trained over six weeks for tonight's bout with the International Boxing Federation's No. 1 ranking on the line and the opportunity to meet IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko. Austin (24-3-3, 16 KOs) meets Russia's Sultan Ibragimov (19-0, 17 KOs) tonight in Hollywood, Fl., at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's Hard Rock LIVE Arena.

The 12-round main event is promoted by Warriors Boxing Promotions and is to be televised by ESPN2.

"If I have plenty of time to train, I can do a good job," Austin said on Thursday on the eve of the fight "In a lot of my fights I had late calls for fights. But whether it was one week or two weeks, I managed to get the job done."

And that is what Austin said he planned to do against the 6-foot-2 Ibragimov.

"I'm known for throwing a lot of punches," Austin said. "There was a comment after one of my fights that I 'was raining a lot of punches on that guy'. I was advised to get the trademark for "The Rainman," and I did.

As in Ibragimov's previous fights, Austin said he expects Ibragimov to come straight at him.

"From what I understand (Ibragimov) is a one-dimensional fighter. And when you're a one-dimensional fighter, you don't know any other way," Austin said. "He's a busy guy who comes to fight. And that is the way I like it. I would be very disappointed if he changes his fight plan."

"Probably the most important thing Ray has to do is keep Sultan on the end of the jab, then let him have hooks and jabs " said Austin's new trainer Jeff Mayweather. "Ray's got to fight him like a tall man and keep him at the end of the jab."

It has been reported how Austin's awkwardness with his punches could be a positive rather than a negative. At least, that is what Mayweather is counting on.

"In the first couple of days that I was with him, I tried to change him, but he's been successful at what he's doing," Mayweather said. "He's very awkward, but it is to his advantage. At the end of his combinations he doesn't come back with a jab or hook. I don't know what he is going to do at the end with his punches. It's an advantage to him because it makes him unpredictable."

"I've been working on reflexes. That is for a guy who has fast hands," Austin said. "I'm a big heavyweight. I use everything I have as a heavyweight to get the job done."

In his last outing, Austin defeated Jeremy Bates (TKO 2) in April. Austin is unbeaten in his last 12 fights. Included in that stretch is a split decision victory in 12 rounds over Owen Beck (25-3, 18 KOs) for the IBF's No. 2 ranking, and a draw with Larry Donald (42-4-3, 24 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the World Boxing Council's No. 2 ranking.

Austin said world championship belts have danced in his head many late nights.

"Winning the championship is going to happen," Austin said. "I can't tell you how many times I've thought about it, but I've been dreaming about it. Within a year, I'm planning on having that belt. That's the goal. We'll be seizing the moment and taking care of business."