Poll: Klitschko vs. Ibragimov. Who Will Win?
Common Opponents: Klitschko knocked out a 16-0-1 Najee Shaheed in one round in 1998. Ibragimov knocked out a 19-6-2 journeyman Shaheed in 2004. Slight advantage Klitschko.
Ibragimov was knocked down in the tenth round of a 12 round draw with Ray Austin in 2006. Klitschko scored a second round TKO over Austin less than six months later. Huge advantage Klitschko.
Prediction: No disrespect to Ibragimov but it's hard to see how he wins this fight. The undefeated (22-0-1) Russian's biggest wins were workmanlike decisions over a sleepwalking Shannon Briggs and a nearly 45-year-old Holyfield. Workmanlike isn't going to get it done against the 6-6 Klitschko. The best Ibragimov can likely hope for is a return of the glass jaw and/or stamina issues that cost Klitschko in his bouts with Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
However, those problems haven't really resurfaced as Klitschko (49-3) has reeled off seven straight wins to establish himself as the king among today's less than stellar crop of heavyweights. Klitschko's imposing size, jab and knockout power give him all the tools necessary to stay on top for as long as he remains interested. Klitschko by TKO 8
Who do you think will win? Klitschko or Ibragimov? Vote in our poll.
Comments
I know this fight looks lopsided in favor of Klitschko, but Ibragimove may well astonish everyone. He is a very tough fighter and determined. Klitschko needs to keep him at the end of his jab, and has done this well with other opponents, always grabbing when someone got inside. The Klitschko jaw is still a question mark and has not been tested in a long time. If Ibragimov cab get inside and stay there and rough Klitschko up and take him off his game plan, he can win, and win by knockout. Lots of ifs I know, but this could be either a very short fight either way, or an unexpected upset.
Klitschko, 4th round KO… Duh
Expect a good performance from both fighters as both have shown class and courage in previous fights. Klitschko should prevail based on size, reach,power,and excellent jab and a world-class trainer but Sultan is a smart,tough boxer-puncher in the Jerry Quarry tradition. Remember the Quarry fights with Lyle,Mathis,Patterson,Spencer and others? Sometimes a smaller but savvy,hungry and tougher man wins the day. Not this time…the Ukraian in six or seven.
Klitschko seems to have a huge advantage. I’ve seen Ibragimov a shot Holyfield and a mediocre Ray Austin. He has NO shot in this.
I agree that 238 on a 6′6″ guy is kind of slender, but it’s not that much different from Wlad’s past fighting weights. Wlad’s just one of those ridiculous specimens. He walks around at 240. I’m always surprised when I hear his weight, but when I see him in the ring he always looks like a brick sh*thouse. I’m glad Sultan came in in-shape. He seems to have learned his lesson after the Ray Austin debacle (where he came in 10 lbs. heavier than he’s ever been, looked for the early knockout, was gassed in the later rounds, got knocked down and nearly out in the 10th, and luckily came away with the draw). He’s come in for every fight since around 220. Sultan has a chance if he gets often inside. He can’t do a Sanders on Wlad at 6 feet of height but he can whack him a bit with looping punches like that final shot Brewsta threw on Wlad in their first fight. His defense is good, moves like Speedy Gonzales and suddenly charges in with sneaky left counters and overhand rights – I wouldn’t die in shock if he steals the fight on points – it would be a big disappointment and a step-back in the Heavyweight process but it can happen. The bet on Klitschko by Kayo aroun rounds 8-10 is the best one.
I agree that 238 on a 6′6″ guy is kind of slender for Wlad, but it’s not that much different from his past fighting weights. Wlad’s just one of those ridiculous specimens. He walks around at 240. I’m always surprised when I hear his weight, but when I see him in the ring he always looks like a brick sh*thouse. I’m glad Sultan came in in-shape. He seems to have learned his lesson after the Ray Austin debacle (where he came in 10 lbs. heavier than he’s ever been, looked for the early knockout, was gassed in the later rounds, got knocked down and nearly out in the 10th, and luckily came away with the draw). He’s come in for every fight since around 220. He can’t do a Sanders on Wlad at 6 feet of height but he can whack him a bit with looping punches like that final shot Brewsta threw on Wlad in their first fight. His defense is good, moves like Speedy Gonzales and suddenly charges in with sneaky left counters and overhand rights – I wouldn’t die in shock if he steals the fight on points – it would be a big disappointment and a step-back in the Heavyweight process but it can happen. The bet on Klitschko by kayo after round 7 is a good one.
On Paper Vlad should kill him. But Sultan is one of the smartest boxers out there and you can never count him out. I think this will be an extremely quick fight either way. Either Vlads size proves to be too much fast and he ends Sultans night early by picking him apart from long range or Sultan lands an overhand right early and Vlad goes down. I got Vlad though, he’s just to big.