Wladimir Klitschko began his fight against Hasim Rahman hoping to continue to establish himself as the best heavyweight in the world. Both fighters began the fight establishing their jabs. Rahman, shooting his down to the body, while Klitschko kept his up top. Klitschko threw with power early, first landing a strong left hook, and then throwing a right hand that forced Rahman backwards.
Klitschko began the second round more aggressive, seemingly setting up for his right hand. Another right hand towards the end of the round sent Rahman back towards the ropes again, and he showed no ability to move away from the punch. Early in the third, in an unusual tactic, Rahman leaned up against the ropes for nearly the entire round eating jabs and right hands. It seemed as if Rahman was hoping to counter Wladimir’s punches, but Rahman couldn’t land well. The fourth was more of the same with Rahman trying to find his way in underneath Klitschko’s punches, and Klitschko continuing his output of jabs and occasional rights.
To open the sixth round, Klitsckho landed a straight right hand that followed three left hooks that dropped Rahman onto the canvas. Rahman beat the count and seemed relatively fine, but Klitschko pinned him to the ropes and went in for the kill. Rahman did not throw much in response, and he went into a shell and hid behind his guard throughout the entire round. Between rounds, Referee, Tony Weeks, told Rahman that he would stop the fight if Rahman continued to take hard punches.
Early in the seventh round, Klitschko had Rahman against the ropes as well. A left hook wobbled Rahman badly, and before Klitschko could continue, referee Tony Weeks stepped in to stop the fight.