[CLIP] Wlad v. Ibragimov: distance control

Credit goes also to Iggy imo, for having the savvy, toughness and admitted southpaw awkwardness to go the distance with a pretty badass Wlad, who was generally racking up the ko's at the time, including Sultan's main Russian rival, Ruslan Chagaev.

 

I haven't rewatched this fight since it first aired, but I recall both fighters maintaining excellent control of range throughout the contest. Unfortunately that meant the action itself was rather thin on the ground, since neither fighter could manoeuvre themselves into their preferred punching range, and the whole fight became a sort of elaborate game of tag where both guys tried to feint and draw reactions from the other to open up their defences.

It's the sort of fight that I could imagine young HWs being made to study to understand the importance of footwork and ring control, but it holds far too little action for even the most hardcore technical fight fan to really enjoy.

 

Stepping in and out with the jab is the most fundamental thing in boxing...and you can go to many gyms and see mangled interpretations of how to do it, if it is taught at all.

 

It wasn't just the technique of Waldo, it was his immense physical assets. He was huge, extremely light on his feet, quick and balanced and fast and decisive in covering groung. Not at all like the more plodding Lewis, as someone suggested. Wlad was a rare talent in this regard. If only he discovered his true fighting spirit earlier in his career.

 

Doesn’t hurt his opponent is slow as molasses himself and rarely throws more than one punch at a time in that clip.

 

Wlad's immaculate footwork has Ibro in cement shoes. Case study.

 

Wlad is impressive and all but nobody mentions the footwork, mobility, and the speed of the referee.

 

Fixed it for you. No need to thank me best of luck with your case study.

 

I can lead the horse to water. You will thank me whence thine thirst be quenched. Blessed Be.

 

But what if the horse had his thirst quenched long ago?

 

Iggy had no problems letting his hands go against Whitaker and other taller opponents. His inability to throw more than one or two punches against Wlad were very much due to Wlad.

 

Nope Wlad is doing nothing special here so either Iggy choked and forgot how to move in or those guys you mentioned are not impressive.

 

Ibragimov is highly impressive. A decorated amateur with world class skills which he exhibited time and again in the ring.

He choked (as you call it) for the same reason every other top class opponent choked when they fought Wlad. There's a pattern there, if you haven't noticed it.

 

You are correct there is a pattern here and that pattern is big heavyweights with highly overated skills.