How good was Sultan Ibragimov

Iggy injured his knee in camp for Austin and ended up coming in a career highest weight (just under 232, 11lbs heavier than he was for his previous fight (220.5) and everyone knows he was always a bit soft and pudgy even when he was coming in 5-6lbs less than that at 214-215-ish.

He hurt Austin so badly with the first southpaw left he uncorked in round one that Austin had to grab a hold of him like a limpet and wouldn't let go of him for like 20 or close to 20 seconds. Luckily for him the ref allowed to do so otherwise Iggy would've likely got him out of there in that round.


This is what Austin had to say about Iggy

''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.''

What’s It Like To Be Hit By Sultan Ibragimov?…Exclusive Interview With Sultan’s Sparring Partner Danny Batchelder

So with all the yap-yap about whether Sultan should fight Evander, and the prognostications about the eventual outcome, it occurred to me that there should be at least one guy out there who has spent more time in the ring with Ibragimov than any of his opponents or fans. After all, a Boxing match only puts two guys together for thirty-six minutes at most. The opponents, hopefully, see each other at their best, but only for that short time. On the other hand, a sparring partner spends weeks and weeks with the boxer in training..

This guy gets into the ring day-after-day with the boxer, as well as witnessing the fighter’s relationship with his trainer, manager and others on the team. The interplay between a sparring partner and the boxer he is helping to train, is one of the most intense in all of sports. As this is a contact sport, the immediate power of the contact makes the sparring partner a virtual expert on the effectiveness of the other guy in the ring and, obviously, one who has a great opportunity to asses his personality.

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.”


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.

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.”

ESB: How do you think he would do if he got inside on Wlad?

Danny: “Interesting you bring that up. I recently told Jeff Mayweather I think Sultan’s the guy that can beat Klitschko because I think he has so much will and determination, and he is a tough tough character. And he can hit hard enough…I think that umm…I think he can make Klitschko quit.”


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.”


Jeffrey Mayweather said Sultan could really crack too. This isn't the interview I'm referring too but he does mention it here as well. He also mentioned that he had bad problems with his hands.

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.

This is what Wlad had to say about Iggy

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.

According to Jeff Mahyweather Iggy had terrible hand problems