Hype merchants, that is. I'm amazed how much interest there is in this fight; while it's partially because of Holyfield's name-value and the good marketing of the fight by promoters, I think it's something else. This fight is an important lesson to promoters everywhere: people are excited by even fights. No-one is sure what's going to happen tonight. You can make a rational case for either boxer, and while I favour Ibragimov I think Holyfield is by no means a huge underdog. This is the kind of fight that gains interest, not because of names, but because people can believe either man could walk away as the winner.
ATG v. ATG?? Surely you're not suggesting Ibragimov is an ATG?? :huh :-( However, I agree with you that this is a FAR more evenly matched fight going in than many observers are suggesting. Holyfield, at his best, is several classes above Ibragimov - who struggles with guys like Ray Austin. The central question in this fight is HOW FAR has Holyfield declined. Based on his recent performances, it doesn't seem he's reached the Ray Austin level, which would lead one to believe he can beat Sultan.
Read the post- hype merchants. Iggy has done an excellent job at building interest in this fight: "I'm coming for you Holyfield!" I think Holyfield's managed to get back to the level he was at about six years ago, before he hit the long losing streak. Whether that's enough to beat Ibragimov is something we'll find out tonight.
This fight is clearly about Holyfield and not so much Sultan.. I'd like to think that Holyfield has enough to take him to school but I dont think its there anymore. Anything is possible but if its a question of money, I'd lay it on Ibragimov.
When Wladimir Klitschko and Lamon Brewster and even SErgeui Liakovich held this crappy WBO title just 1-3 years ago almost the whole of ESB were calling them significant players at HW. Ibragimov surely deserves credit for beating the man who beat the man and deserves a high ranking.
Ooops - missed that part! As for the rest - exactly. This is much closer to a "pick 'em" fight going in than some want to admit.
