This was supposed to happen back in 2007, but ultimately never materialized due to Ibragimov fighting Wlad. Who do you fellas think woulda win then?
What do most people consider to be Ibragimov's best performance? I feel like most people rate him higher than I do and I'm not sure if I am missing something.
I just think of him as a better version of Chagaev. He looked like a pro against old versions of Briggs and Holyfield. He took his money and left though.
He underperformed against Austin because he stared out with a banger style, using his fast hands, power, and southpaw stance to blitz guys out of there. Despite success against Lance Whitiker, he learned his lesson in the Austin fight- a guy who should probably be a cruiser is going to struggle with that style when fighting guys who are around 6'6". Subsequently, he utilized his boxing skills to beat Briggs. We never saw the best of the Sultan. If he would have stayed around and combined the two styles, switching back and forth in the middle of the fights after gauging his opponent, he could have been great. He could have stuck around and beat up on most guys not named Klitschko or Povetkin (that would have been a hell of a fight!) and even got back down to cruiser if he wanted it. I was a fan and wish he would have hung around a little longer, but, if he is happy, good for him. As for the fight, a good one between two southpaws. I think Sultan would have taken it, but Thompson would have been a live dog. I think he'd of beat Chag, but it is worth noting that Chagaev was shot entering the pro ranks. Too long in the amateurs, Hepatitis, declining vision in one eye, rumors of numbness in the limbs. There is a reason that fans affectionately gave him the nickname "sick note."
Iggy injured his knee in camp for Austin and ended up coming in a career highest weight (just under 232, 11lbs heavier than he was for his previous fight (220.5) and everyone knows he was always a bit soft and pudgy even when he was coming in 5-6lbs less than that at 214-215-ish. Iggy hurt Austin so badly with the first Southpaw left he uncorked in round one Austin had to grab a hold of him like a limpet and wouldn't let go of him for like 20 seconds. Luckily for him the ref allowed to do so otherwise Iggy would've likely got him out of there in that round. This is what Austin had to say about Iggy ''Sultan hits like a Mack truck'' -- Ray Austin ESB: You fought Sultan Ibragimov to a draw in 2006. What are your recollections? AUSTIN: ''He was the hardest puncher I’ve ever faced in my life. The man’s punching power was unreal.'' Anyway, Iggy would've been too fast, mobile and powerful for Thompson who to be fair was a good fighter and better than he looked.
Briggs was coming off one of his career best wins & there's not much age difference between em anyway.. the Russian would beat any version of Briggs, he was far too skilled for the hugely limited juice head
Jeff Mayweather who I think is a capable and good trainer was not a good match for Sultan and took away what Sultan was good at. Just a bad match of styles. That happens sometimes.
