Rating Sultan Ibragimov's Ringsmarts

Some people claim that the tough Dagestani fought like a drunken sailor.

I, on the other hand, saw something dramatically different. His style may have been awkward but he fought very smart although at times he seemed to lose his concentration. I think if he was around and in his prime at the moment he would expose some of the larger-sized overrated heavyweights.

 

Klitschko versus Ibragimov was a terrible fight. Ibragimov was counting on countering Klitschko and Klitschko knew it so he didn't give him anything to counter.


Ibragimov versus Holyfield for me was actually interesting. Seems like Holy had trouble with southpaws; Moorer, Byrd, Ibragimov.

 

In comparison to the rest of Holy's competition.

 

He realized he had to fight a specific way to beat KLitschko and Klitschko would not oblige.

 

I don't think he could beat Wladimir K. unless the wheels fell off Klitschko's wagon but I would favor him over Wilder or Fury.

 

I just watched Klitschko-Ibragimov again and determined that Ibragimov was trying to make it a brawl, only Klitschko would not let him. The fight is better than how I remembered it. There's really not very much clinching in it and both combatants are throwing plenty of punches. It's a much better fight than Klitschko-Povetkin and Klitschko-Haye.

 

I watched that fight again and now I'm inclined to disagree with you. Maybe not the most dramatic, exciting fight in heavyweight history but both fighters are busy and trying hard.

How does it compare to Holmes-Spinks 1?

 

I'm glad somebody else noticed that too. Plus, his competitors were kind of a weak field of competitors too.


Watching Holmes-Spinks 1 now. Better than what I remembered and IMO comparable situation to Klitschko-Ibragimov. Awkward smaller fast fighter versus bigger man. Only Klitschko handled his opponent better than Holmes handled his opponent.