Austin wins split decision over Beck

By Wyatt Johnston

03/09/2005

Austin wins split decision over Beck

Heavyweight Ray Austin (Boxingtalk #33) won a split decision over Owen Beck (Boxingtalk unrated). From the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, it was an a very sloppy fight in which both men landed hard shots and wobbled each other several times.  Austin hurt Beck at the end of the first round with a big right hand and had him unsteady.   Austin had Beck out on his feet at the end of the eleventh round. In the end Austin won a split decision by scores of 117-111, 115-113, 113-115.  The IBF will now rate Austin at the #2 spot. source: Showtime

After the bout, here is what the boxers had to say:
Ray Austin: “I want to thank all my fans in Cleveland, especially the kids at my school, Shaw High School, who gave me a pep rally this week that truly inspired my performance tonight. Beck didn’t hit that hard.  He didn’t hit like a heavyweight. I did think he’d be easier to knock out.  I hit him with some hard shots but he wouldn’t go down.  Every punch I hit him I thought he would go down.  His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he did a little boogie woogie when I hit him in the 11th round.  I got him”
Owen Beck:  ““He was a dirty fighter.  He fought a dirty fight.  But I think I did enough to win.”