Sultan Ibragimov vs Anthony Joshua, who would win?

I fancy Iggy in that one I think his speed, power, movement and Southpaw skills would cause AJ nightmares and he could take a hell of a shot as well. A 39 y/o past prime Povetkin's speed caused AJ problems and Iggy is faster and hits harder too albeit Povetkin has KO power in either hand. I just think despite the huge physical advantages he would be giving up he's a bad match up for AJ and I see that lightening fast Southpaw left straight down the pipe of Iggy's catching AJ often and hurting him, providing we're pitting a healthy Iggy with two good hands with AJ in this hypothetical match up that is and not an injured one. I wouldn't be surprised if they both hit the canvas in it though and AJ would be dangerous for as long as he was still standing and for as long as still had air in his lungs.

Iggy injured his hand in sparring for Wlad and don't forget he fought a 2008 absolute prime Wlad, not a way past his best 41 y/o 2017 Wlad who was taking part in his 69th pro fight.

Wlad actually rates Iggy very highly, said he was the smartest fighter he fought and the joint most skilful

SMARTEST

Ibragimov: Absolutely Ibragimov. He was very sneaky, he knew what he was doing, he was smart.

MOST SKILLFUL

I would say Ibragimov. Very sneaky, very fast, very technical considering his size and the way he does it.

Jeffrey Mayweather rated Iggy's power very highly. I remember reading an interview of his many years ago where he said Iggy had terrible problems with his hands though.


JM: What advantages do you see Sultan having going into this fight with Klitschko?

JEFF: Well number one, he’s undefeated so that’s always a real good thing to have on your side. Number two, Sultan’s much faster than Klitschko is and also he punches just as hard has Klitschko does.

Raymond Austin also rated Iggy's power very highly too

''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.''

Another glowing endorsement re. Iggy's power



Therefore, ESB asked Sultan’s latest sparring partner Danny Batchelder (25-5) to give us his take on Ibragimov the Boxer and the man.

ESB: Hey man, thanks for getting back to us. Now that your training assignment with Ibragimov is complete, we would like to know what are your most vivid impressions of sparring with Sultan?

Danny: “Man, that guy can crack! Even with big, fat sparring gloves his power comes right through. I just lost a split decision to James Toney in May (92-98, 93-97, 96-94). I know he was great at one time…you can’t take that away from him, but lately I don’t have much respect for him. Sultan is so different in every way.

ESB: How long did you spar with Sultan…is this the first time?

Danny: “Yes, this was the first time, and it lasted about three weeks.”

ESB: Since you mentioned Toney, tell us about your fight with Alexander Dimitrenko for background leading up to sparring Sultan.

Danny: “That guy is 6’7”-254 pounds, he’s from Ukraine and fights in Germany…think he’s number one or two in the WBO…Continental Champion…he’s a good fighter, great boxer…I had him down in the fifth round, but they didn’t count him. He caught me with a couple of good shots when he came back in the seventh and they stopped it…you know, I tell it how it is.

After fighting those two guys then working with Sultan, I was very very impressed with him. Sultan’s a guy, you know, he’s not a big heavyweight. I think a lot of people look at him, and I think they underestimate him by lookin’ at him, but you know…I also sparred David Tua…I’ve been in there with some pretty big guys and Sultan can bring the power big time.”

ESB: You say he can punch, but how about boxing? He’s got a rep for being an amateurish slugger…is that what you experienced when you fought with him?

Danny: “Jeff Mayweather, who I have a lot of respect for…he’s a great trainer, he has Sultan boxin’ very good now…a lot of people I know don’t think of Sultan as a fighter…as a good boxer you know, but I’m tellin’ ya Sultan can box…and he’s a great person too on top of all of that. And, um…I was very impressed with Sultan, he’s probably one of the most impressive guys I’ve been in the ring with.

I mean he’s…you got to watch yourself every second of every round. You have to…I mean you gotta come in there sharp because if you don’t I mean man he can punch, and he will…he’ll light you up if you make a mistake.”

ESB: In a way I feel ill equipped to evaluate the guy because, as a Boxing reporter, all I get is polite conversation, but you guys are out there on the edge where few humans ever go risking complete exposure.

Danny: Your right about that, but I’m one of the guys that’s been in there with him and I really respect him as a man as well as a fighter…and uh there’s so many people who can’t know by combat experience with him, but I’m tellin’ ya, you better not look at him and think this or that because that man can fight, he’s got a great chin, that man can punch with the best of them.

I really don’t expect this Holyfield fight…I mean you know, Holyfield’s tricky, he’s dirty…who knows how long he might be able to last but…I just see Sultan…I mean he’s just too fast, he’s younger…I just really see Sultan just destroyin’ him. That’s the only way I see the fight” ending up.”

ESB: What’s it like to get hit by Sultan?

Danny: “I guess I’ve been hit by a lot of people and, you know, I’m a fighter myself, I have pride you know…I’ve been hit by a lot of guys…guys that can punch and I’m tellin’ you Sultan can ruin your day.

He’s one of the few guys I’ve been in the ring with, and when he hits you, if he hits you good boy, even in sparring, you say whoa! You ain’t going to want that again, and you find out real quick you got to be on the ball with him.”


Danny: “I’ve got a friend James Walton who fought Sultan and I told him about Mayweather’s training, which has Sultan boxing, and he said, ‘Really?!’ and I said yeah. I’m tellin’ you he can move, he can punch, he’s got a great jab when he uses it, he’s got a lot of weapons. I’m tellin’ you Sultan’s one of them heavyweights that he does belong there, and he’s gonna be there whether people want him to or not, they’re gonna have to deal with him or look chicken.”