Hopes of Ibragimov Klitschko unification fight starting to slip

Exactly, a 1st loss to the consensus #1 HW in the world wouldn't be the end of his career at all, in fact I think he'd gain fans for a valiant effort that may even warrant a rematch somewhere down the line.

 

So it's HBO's fault that Klitschko fights only twice a year.

 

Of course it would. Not be over perhaps, but severely dented anyway. Valiant efforts mean **** all. And if he did put up a valiant (almost winning) effort do you think Wlads team would encourage a rematch??? Of course they wouldn't, they'd be mad to.


His reputation is what?


Beat Briggs for the title in an uninspiring fight? so what, Briggs is ****.
Beat a 45 yr old Holy, in a largely uninspiring fight. I agree with his tactics, but hardly makes him 'must see' for his next fight.

And his belt? The reasonably worthless WBO.

That my man, is hardly the stuff of someone that would have massive earning power after a (potentially crushing) loss.

Iggy would then be at the back of long line of guys of similar status.

Good to see you can discuss this rationally and reasonably. :-(

Wlads defences?

Brock. Undefeated fighter. True. Not a terrible defence, but Brocks resume is hardly littered with glory is it? Not a bad voluntary though, I'll give him that.

Austin. Woeful regardless of mandatory or not.

Brewster. His first fight, almost 18 months after getting brutalised. Detached retina, first fight back after a long layoff. Revenge, yes. Brewster chances of winning that fight? About 1 in a 100.



Are you telling me that at this point in their careers that Wlad HASN'T had a lot more lucrative paydays???

Boxing is a business. And Iggy could make more money fighting stiffs for his belt for at least 2 or 3 defences, and building up a fight with Wlad, than jumping into it now after 1.

Of course, if he loses to Thomson its all out the window.

 

like him or not, but this is exactly the reason why Povetkin commands respect.
After winning the tournament, I find it very unlikely that he would say "no, just kidding, I am not going to fight him"

Even though Povetkin backing out would be much more understandable than Ibragimov. Comes down to balls.

Wlad has fought the fighters that have been willing to fight him. I would like to see him fight more, if the big fights don't happen, just fight someone fairly respectable and keep the title active. He might not get to ever unify, at least he would establish volume. Worked well enough for Holmes.

 

:good I have to agree with this. And keep publically calling out
the other beltholders so the public know he's there and waiting.
Wlad where he is now only has a limited window of opportunity
to put in place a legacy.

 

Just because a fighter makes an offer, the other one doesn't have to automatically accept it you know.

Briggs called out Wlad numerous times. Wlad didn't fight him - does that mean Wlad was avoiding unification then, or just avoiding Briggs?

Or are others held to different standards to Wlad?


(Again - don't get me wrong. I want unification - I think Wlad is the best beltholder - but I don't believe somebody should jump at the first contract offered to them by Wlad - when he doesn't do the same in reverse).

 

If you don't want to fight just say you don't want to fight. Sultan is not coming off of a brutal fight with Holyfield...I have seen sparring sessions that were more brutal!

Four months is plenty of time to recover. Unless Sultan wants to relax and get fat for a month before he starts training again.

 

As I said before Iggy's manager is not that dumb to put him in against Wlad, Iggy is by far the weakest title holder. Iggy has nothing in his arsenal to beat Wlad, he got average power and chin, who is not a pressure fighter at all anymore.

Iggy is doing the right thing by not fighting Wlad, its really bad style match up for him IMO. If he doesnt have to fight Wlad, he shouldnt.

 

I dont agree with what he said, I just think he should look out for whats best for him and a fight with Wlad isnt. If he wanted a pay day like Brewster then take the fight by all means, but Iggy is a title holder who has alot to lose if Wlad would destroy him in the ring.

I want unification as well, but if it means another walk through match for Wlad, no thanks. I think Wlad should just look for a match that might make the fans happy, Im sure Tua or Golota would take a match with Wlad if offered.

 

How the **** can this guy call himself a champion if he is not willing to fight Wlad? This is exactly why unification is so important, so there is only one man to beat before you can rightfully delare yourself a champion, then it is simple if you want a shot at being the best, you fight him, if you are too scared, fair enough, but there won't be the option of becoming a champion by taking another fight with a less skilled belt holder.

 

Yeah, but wouldnt it suck if Wlad pulled a Vitali and backed out of fights and held the titles at bay. Remember when Vitali kept backing out of the Rahman fight, he held on to the title for over a year until the WBC made him give up the belt and he ended up retiring.

If every knows who the champ is, whats unification going to do, tell us what we already know? I would much rather see good heavyweight matches instead, I would much rather see Golota/Wlad or Wlad/Tua more than I would Wlad/Iggy.