The 19,000-strong crowd who gathered at The Lanxess Arena in Cologne may have felt a little short changed after they only got three minutes of action for a WBC Heavyweight Championship contest between Vitali Klitschko and Odlanier Solis.
In the opening round Klitschko used his long reach to try and push Solis - who had trimmed down a little to 249 and a half pounds - against the ropes.
Solis seemed to be happy to move backwards and stay around the edges, enabling him the chance to potentially jump in with counter combinations and also keep away from his opponent and try and box on his own terms.
Klitschko appeared to be pawing rather throwing heavy-handed jabs - although of course, this was the opening round of what was supposed to be a 12 round contest.
Again, while it's hard to gauge what might or might not have happened during the course of the fight, it was evident that Solis was impressively catching Klitschko, who looked a little open, with counters from his fast hands.
Then it was all over.
Klitschko connected with a hook to the top of Solis' head that appeared to rock him. His legs then buckled and he fell down, clutching his knee.
He rose unsteadily and referee waved the fight off.
Initially there were claims Solis had faked an injury and was actually reeling from the punch he sustained to the head rather than any knee injury. Fuel was added to the fire after Klitschko accused Solis of faking the injury.
However, medical records have since shown Solis suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, articular cartilage damage and meniscal tear in the right knee.
The ending was unsatisfactory. Diffferent interpretations could be taken from the fight. Solis showed glimpses of what he might have been able to do with his fast hands, while Klitschko might have used his reach to keep the smaller man from coming inside.
Klitshcko and Solis surely have unfinished business.
In the opening round Klitschko used his long reach to try and push Solis - who had trimmed down a little to 249 and a half pounds - against the ropes.
Solis seemed to be happy to move backwards and stay around the edges, enabling him the chance to potentially jump in with counter combinations and also keep away from his opponent and try and box on his own terms.
Klitschko appeared to be pawing rather throwing heavy-handed jabs - although of course, this was the opening round of what was supposed to be a 12 round contest.
Again, while it's hard to gauge what might or might not have happened during the course of the fight, it was evident that Solis was impressively catching Klitschko, who looked a little open, with counters from his fast hands.
Then it was all over.
Klitschko connected with a hook to the top of Solis' head that appeared to rock him. His legs then buckled and he fell down, clutching his knee.
He rose unsteadily and referee waved the fight off.
Initially there were claims Solis had faked an injury and was actually reeling from the punch he sustained to the head rather than any knee injury. Fuel was added to the fire after Klitschko accused Solis of faking the injury.
However, medical records have since shown Solis suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, articular cartilage damage and meniscal tear in the right knee.
The ending was unsatisfactory. Diffferent interpretations could be taken from the fight. Solis showed glimpses of what he might have been able to do with his fast hands, while Klitschko might have used his reach to keep the smaller man from coming inside.
Klitshcko and Solis surely have unfinished business.
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