Klitschko Wins Unification Stinker
After 12 painful-to-watch rounds, all three judges scored the fight for Klitschko: 119-110, 117-111, 118-110.
Punch stats: Total Punches: Klitschko - 148 of 348 (43%); Ibragimov - 97 of 316 (31%). Jabs: Klitschko - 108 of 245 (44%); Ibragimov - 16 of 137 (12%). Power Punches: Klitschko - 40 of 103 (39%); Ibragimov - 81 of 179 (45%).
On the undercard, undefeated John Duddy was handed an undeserved gift in the form of a majority decision against Walid Smichet. Despite the win, Duddy may have looked bad enough to jeopardize his proposed June 7 fight with middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik. Duddy ate a shocking number of right hands throughout the fight and suffered a nasty gash over his left eye. Judge Frank Lombardi scored a reasonable 95-95 draw. The other two judges (John McKaie and Don Trella) had it an indefensible 98-92 for Duddy. There's no questioning Duddy's chin and heart but he better learn to move his head or he's going to get KO'd if he ever faces Pavlik.
Comments
Klitscko fought a brilliant and victorius fight without suffering a scratch or serious fatigue.
His masterful use of defense and a superb jab rendered the attack of a very capable opponent impotent. Knowing Sultan to be a tough and smart fighter with much experience in the vaughted Soviet Ameture system;Klitscko kept the Russian at bay. Remember, boxing is the sweet science not an MMA brawl.
Wow, thank god I missed this fight because from the sound of things from all the sites I’ve been on, I would have wanted to kill myself. I gave Sultan a punchers chance especially being a usually smart boxer but I must say, he looked dumb. He was not smart at all. He had to press the fight and he didn’t. Vlad disappointed me with his cautiousness because he always claims to love the old boxing Heavyeight champions and the old boxing wars and wanting to be one but he rather take home a crappy decision and then has the nerve to blame Sultan when he’s equally at fault because he could have ended that fight quit in a thriller by pressing himself. Very disappointed.
Here’s the actual reason they don’t have these often. I hope Mike Tyson comes back and KO’s them both.
Sultan did not press the fight because of Vald’s height,power jab and extraordinary defensive skills. Vlad, being aware that his Russian opponent was smart,tough and experienced in the excellent Soviet olympic system, artfully kept Sultan at bay. Sultan is more than a match for most of the heavy weights out there but Vlad is the best since Lennox Lewis retired. Klitchko may yet be one of the all-time greats. Some purists still admire excellent defensive skills and the chess-like strategy of a truly exceptional fighter. Bravo Vladamir!
I was thoroughly dissapointed watching this fight. I can understand why Klitschko used his jab so much, considering how it seemed to connect every time he threw it. But is it too much to ask for a couple combinations. With a minimal amount of effort Klitschko could have knocked out Ibragamov, but he was just content with taking the victory. At least fans can take solace from the fact that finally we are getting unification fights and hopefully down the road we can see Peter/ Klitschko II or Klitschko/Valuev
Wow, I had this stinker of a fight wrong..it was a non-fight and a complete shame for both fighters. Of course Klitschko won–just about every round except perhaps the first…he kept Sultan at the end of his jab abd Sultan did nothing to get inside and was more concerned about survival. He had no offense and the fight was offensive for a championship match.
What HBO showed of the Duddy fight showed him very vulnerable. It is a shame Taylor did not take a Duddy tune up.
i dnt think wlad wil b concernd tht tysons cumin bk 4 a proposed bout with holyfield.the nxt big thing is povetkin.trust me on that.
“Herman Munster” Klitschko is the sorriest excuse for a boxer that I have EVER seen!
He looks like a robot with a NO jab.
He sticks his extended left arm out like he a wants someone to hang their laundry on it.
And doesn’t have a clue what to do with his right arm.
Hey, Klitschko, they put a glove on your right hand so that you can use it to PUNCH!
Let me know when a real boxer shows up in the heavyweight division.
In the meantime, if I want to want to watch Herman Munster, I’ll watch old “Munsters” reruns. LMAO
Maybe “Baby Joe” Mesi is the man who will knock Klitschko on his ass.
I sure hope someone does and does so soon! Because as it is, Klitschko is an embarr-ass-ment to the greatest sport on the planet!
Semper Fi,
Michael
IRISH JOHN FRANCIS DUDDY LETS GO LAD STEP ON THE GAME YE GOT ME NERVOUS!
I hope we see more of Ibragimov. It’s unfortunate his biggest fight had to be against Klitchsko – the size difference was always going to ruin it for me. He’s a tremendous body puncher al la Tyson and can be pretty exciting to watch when he lets loose. Maybe from now on he will!