I just watched Holyfield-S. Ibragimov. I thought he performed well but i think he should've been a lot more agressive, especially in the later rounds when Holyfield's punch output went down to 2 or 3 flurries per round. I thought Ibragimov could be more active and force a late stoppage on body shots, which he started nicely but didn't persue; he just did enough to win rounds. But one thing i noticed, which is a pattern in all his fights: -Sultan barely has a jab! He rarely throws it with conviction and usually uses it more as a range finder. He did throw a few good round house rights against Holyfield and a few inside, but basically he doesn't do much (damage) with the right hand. -Sultan is too much open for the right hand. He carries his own right hand (he's a southpaw) very low and needless to say, roughly 90% of the meaningful punches that Holyfield landed were straight right hands. Now these two are very bad news when you're fighting Wladimir Klitschko. Especially considering he's got the fastest and hardest right hand in the division right now. Ibragimov seems to lack agression in his recent fights. If anything, this is needed to beat Wladimir. Because of his size, handspeed and boxing ability, it's gonna be an extremely hard task to win rounds against him, especially if your workrate is not exceptionally high like Sultan's is. He did well getting away from Holyfields jab, but Holyfield lacked the timing and reflexes; Wlad's jab is faster, longer and much heavier.
Sultan's Southpaw Style will always be an advantage Vs. the very weak chinned Wladimir Klitschko. I can see this fight as a toss-up. But I would defo not count out Ibragimov. Wladimir's chin is always in play.
Not very likely that feather fisted Sultan Ibragimov can knock out Wlad. Sultan even had to go the full route with Russian journeyman Osokin.He cant crack an egg with his punches. Wlad can be knocked out..............not by Sultan ..........but by one of the feared bangers at heavy like Virchis.
Wlad's jab would be in Sultan's face from early in round 1 until the end of the fight via knock out somewhere in the 4th round. He's open for Wlad's straight right. He wont be able to get inside on Wlad,and especially considering his limited size for a heavyweight,when the rare opportunity presents it's self,Sultan wont be able to take advantage,as Wlad will tie him up. This fight has everything for Wladimir and nothing for Sultan.
They should fight in early 2008. Its the only fight that makes sense for Klitschko due to the WBC is occupied and the WBA situation with Chagaev not cleared.
I completely agree. I can't really think of an argument for sultan...he's fast, but not fast enough. he has decent power, but not enough. his footwork is good but he doesn't have the reach or jab to use it effectively; all his footwork would allow it to do is run, not potshot or pick up points. his chin is nothing special. in general, he's an all around good fighter without any of the skills needed to beat wlad. a complete wipe out here
:good German newspaper "Die Welt" says, that next week Wlad and his manager Bönte will talk with HBO to make the Unification Fight in early 2008.
