[FONT="]1. Will Sultan Ibragimov’s movement and quick hands be enough to upset Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night?[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="]Many observers probably think I am crazy for asking the above question regarding Klitschko and Ibragimov. However, the beginning of 2008 has reinforced the lesson that anything can happen in the world of boxing. Just last Saturday, Jose Navarro won every round on a judge’s scorecard, but he lost the fight. [/FONT]http://fightbeat.com/article_detail.php?AT=582
I don't predict an upset, but I do feel that Sultan has the best chance of beating Wlad over any other heavyweight.
Why? He does nothing better than Chagaev or Gomez, but the guys I would look at are the guys who can really punch a la Sanders and Brewster since that seems to be far more plausible (in theory and in fact) than some tricky guy outboxing a master boxer like Wlad.
Chagaev is a short armed midget who would be jabbed to death. Ibragimov is much quicker and has better movement. He also has a higher workrate which is something that has bothered Wlad in the past. He also has more pop in his punch than people give him credit for.
Ibragimov drew with Ray Austin. "Ibragimov has three X-factors in his arsenal that will give Klitschko trouble. Ibragimov has good movement, fast hands, and he is a southpaw" Chris byrd? "As I go back over Klitschko’s record, I recall that it was not very long ago he was stopped by Lamon Brewster" After beating the tar out of him for 4 rounds, and then winning a rematch "Ibragimov is similar to Sanders, but he is a better version" Apart from being a southpaw, he is NOTHING like Corrie Sanders. "Ray Austin and Brewster (in the rematch). While Klitschko looked impressive in many of those wins, none of those fighters has the combination of movement and hand speed that Ibragimov has, with the possible exception of Byrd, but Byrd is a borderline cruiserweight" amazing, that the same Ray Austin fought even with Ibragimov over 12. Amazing that the "borderline cruiserweight" Chris Byrd weighs in around 215 for his fights...What did Ibragimov weigh in his last fight against Holyfield...219? "Sultan Ibragimov will find a way to defeat Wladimir Klitschko." Only if someone shoots him on the way to the ring.
Look, IBragimov is a good fighter. He's quick, has a weird style and can punch. Can he beat Wlad? YES. WIll he? Doubtful. But he's no bum and to suggest he is without a chance of winning is foolish.
It will indeed be interesting to see how Wlad deals with a swift southpaw who can twist the neck a little bit at his knuckles edge,.. I think when pressured, this fight may show us, if Wladimir really has developed into a more consummate professional.
Ouch. :: But yes, you still can. There will always be a favorite, and Wlad is heavily favored, rightly so. I think Ibraghimov will make Wlad look awkward in spots and likely extend the fight, but he has too many holes and squares up too much and is very vulnerable to the jab. I don't think Sultan being a southpaw will be that much of an issue...matter of fact, it's an advantage for Wlad, IMHO. Peace.
Well, if 'Euro-Bum #2' beats 'Already-KTFO'd-Euro-Bum #1' and you want to add it to real 'upsets' such as, say, Douglas-Tyson, Rahman - Lewis, etc, then fine. :dunno:
dsimon writes: Well put Donny! I don't know if Ibraghimov being a outhpaw is an advantage, but he does tend to square up and his movement would have to be good enough to neutralize the jab. Ibraghimov is too orthodox. Corrie Sanders by comparison was an underrated puncher. Sanders reminds me of Taylor in that one respect: his stats do not reflect the fact that he has/had a devistating KO punch. When Sanders was able to just relax and let his hands go this was dangerous to Vlad in a way that was not obvious. I do appreciate the author making a good case for ibraghimov and see a possability for the upset. AS AShes says "Ibraghimov is a good fighter." If he sees an opportunity to fluster Vlad he can do something about it.
But Sanders' stats do show it to some extent. He blew away some fighters early. Has Taylor? And stats aside, it's pretty obvious from watching Sanders that he hits hard and it's pretty obvious that Taylor does not, particularly if we don't focus on Pavlik 2.
