GRADUS KRAUS turned in a truly destructive display earlier this evening, keeping late replacement Scott Forrest on the receiving end of a punishing beatdown through six rounds.
The explosive light-heavyweight prospect was searching for an opponent earlier this week, only to then take a bold assignment – on paper, at least – against a natural cruiserweight in the form of Forrest, 7-2 (4 KOs).
But despite the size difference, Kraus, 8-0 (7 KOs), put on a totally dominant display at the Park Community Arena, Sheffield, where he came to the ring dancing alongside his daughter.
The 24-year-old then got off to a dream start, landing a counter right hand just as he was slipping out of the pocket, before a snapping left hook was sharp enough to put Forrest down in the opening round.
More than anything, the Dutchman’s herky-jerky movement seemed to befuddle the more one-dimensional Forrest, who did well to scramble back to his feet but appeared to be on unsteady legs.
Quite remarkably, though, the Scotsman made it into the third round, and despite being introduced to yet another hellish onslaught, the wounded soldier nonetheless showed tremendous gallantry to keep pressing forward.
In response, Klaus simply maintained his elusive movement in the fourth round, offering a display of his defensive prowess while creating plenty of angles for his potent attacks.
And despite Forrest’s tremendous grit, the one-way traffic was becoming increasingly difficult to watch, so much so that it was almost bewildering to see him enter the sixth round.
There were several opportunities for the referee, or indeed his corner, to orchestrate an end to the punishment, yet Forrest was nonetheless enabled to continue walking onto heavy blows before the final bell sounded.
In the end, ringside official Reece Carter scored the fight 60-53, though it must be said that Kraus came inches away from securing a grandstand finish on several occasions.
