Interesting comment by Sultan Ibragimov...

I think he´s daring wlad, but in an indirect way - which probably is wise!

 

He's made his money and is ready to jump ship, apparently.

 

Very few of todays fighters what to fight for a long time while they are young. It seems to change as they age. Jones for one always claimed that he would be fighting into his mid to late 30's but that was when he was in his late 20's.

No he isnt saying that Wlad would end his career, what he said is that he is EAGER TO FIGHT THE MAN WHO PROMISES TO FINISH MY CAREER. meaning Wlad has been talking sh*t, and he is telling him to bring it

 

Even before the Holyfield bout Sultan sounded uncertain about continuing his boxing career.
These are revealing quotes from an ESB interview conducted on Sept. 21 2007:

ESB: You are now the home-town hero. How does that make you feel?

Sultan: "Boxing is important in my life right now, but there are other ways I can be a man who is good for the world"

ESB: What has changed in your life since you have become champion?

Sultan: "Nothing…a lot of what has happened is not important to me. I am not a person who gets that excited about such things.
Boxing is my profession right now, and what happens around that is ok, but there is much more to life."

It sounds like he feels his true calling might lie elsewhere, but he was very clear about fighting Wladimir.

Sultan: "He is a good fighter, but it is interesting how many guys will get in the ring with him but they won't fight as well as I know they can. To me, Wlad is a challenge and an opportunity. I do not fear him…actually, I am quite curious to see how I would do."

 

Exactly, that's how I read it too.

 

Irony.

 

It would be an interesting fight but Sultan's style will leave him at a disadvantage. He gives alot of movement and then fires quick combos which basically means he fights from a distance. This plays right into Wladimir's hands cuz he wants to keep the opponent at range so he can jab him and shoot straight rights as he pleases.

One may think that Sultan's movement will give Wladimir trouble but I highly doubt an olympic gold medalist with 52 pro fights and a set of skills like unlike any in the division would have much trouble dealing with it. I can see Sultan extending the fight into the mid-to late rounds but I cannot see him winning it.

 

Hopefully Sultan finds what he really wants. When a fighter loses the focus and the want of the sport, that is usually when they end up humiliated.

If boxing isn't it, and basket weaving is, then so be it.

 

If he decides that a fight with Wladimir is what he wants and ends up getting it I'm sure he will focus on it 100% and follow through with preparations like a professional. He knows that there's only 2 ways out of the ring with Wlad: Loser by KO or somehow winner by KO. That's a very serious situation.

 

I'm sure he would be focused for Wlad. If he beats Wlad, and then retires (or beats him twice and hang it up) I'm sure he'd see himself as having a fulfilling career.

 

Does anyone think Sultan has any realistic chance of beating Wlad? this is the guy who drew with Ray Austin, the same Ray Austin who Wlad KOed with one hand.Sultan is the weakest of the champs and does not seem to have his heart in the game.If he fights a top ten heavy next his reign as champ will be over

 

Did Wald actually say something like that? That he "would end Ibragimov's career"? Haven't heard about it and doesn't sound like Wlad at all, that's not his usual style.

 

I wondering same...