Loading ...
Published by on April 20th, 2008
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
| 
RSS 
By Scoop Malinowski
Heavyweight boxing seems to be on the upsurge lately with some matchups that are helping to determine just who is the best of the bunch.
Liakhovich-Brewster was almost as dramatic and exciting as the Thrilla in Manila. Klitschko finally eliminated Byrd with impressive brilliance and brutality. Peter & Toney and Rahman & Maskaev will meet at the crossroads to see who marches on and who goes home.
Then there’s the most exciting prospect fast on his way to joining the party – Sultan Ibragimov.
If the powers of boxing want to make the best fights and get heavyweight boxing where it should be – on the forefront of the sporting public’s mind, they would be wise to hurry up and sign and promote Sultan Ibragimov. It was obvious to any sports fan who saw Ibragmiov destroy Lance Whitaker – this guy is the real deal.
Even Mike Tyson and Burt Reynolds were ringside to watch Ibragimov. Afterwards, Tyson jumped in the ring and kissed Ibragimov on the cheek before saying, “My man Sultan did very well tonight. He can go a long way.”
During the fight Reynolds, a very knowledgable boxing fan, said he’s been looking foward to see Ibragimov-Whitaker all night long. Imagine the sight of Hollywood Burt sitting there glued to the action of Sultan Ibragimov throwing non-stop punches with mean intentions.
The house had an almost electric atmosphere. They knew they were watching something special. Ibragimov, the 31-year-old former Olympic silver medalist, is now a major factor in professional boxing. He has all the qualities to become a sensation.
Number one, Ibragimov has the confidence and mentality of a true warrior. Boxing is a game that’s 90% bluffs, once said former WBO champ Michael Bentt. There’s nothing phony about Ibragimov. At the New York press conference with Whitaker, a giant who possesses almost superhuman strength, a smiling Ibragimov placed his fist on the much bigger man’s jaw during a photo pose. A nasty brawl ensued and we all saw this guy is truly confident and fearless by how he went after Whitaker with a startling ferocity. How will Rahman handle this wildman? Will Ibragimov unnerve Klitschko? Whew, things are gonna get very interesting.
When round one started, Ibragimov showed us why he believes he will be champion within a year. Sultan throws a relentless onslaught of vicious violent p
unches. His handspeed is extremely fast, he throws heavy, creative combinations and he can take a shot. You could see Whitaker was thinking something like, Damn, I’m so big and strong, WHY is this guy so confident he can whup me?
Whitaker never got on track and Ibragimov just beat the hope out of him. Those non-stop combinations had the crowd in a frenzy. Whitaker absorbed a tremendous shelling to the head and body. We have not seen a wrecking machine in the heavyweight division like this since, well, Mike Tyson.
Three times Whitaker hit the floor and got up. But he just didn’t know what to do to offset this Russian dynamo. Ibragimov may have been considerably smaller in stature but he was much more confident, more determined, faster, hungrier and by far the superior fighter. Finally, the doctor came in to check a cut and Whitaker quietly expressed that he didn’t want to continue in the 6th round.
If the powers that be can manage to put Ibragimov in important fights with Rahman, Klitschko, Toney, Valuev, Liakhovich or Peter in the near future, it will be the best thing for the heavyweight division and the overall industry of boxing. This Soviet Blockbuster has a TV style that will get people buzzing. He is a can’t miss star.
Next up for Ibragimov is the IBF eliminator against the undeserving Don King fighter Ray Austin later this month, for the right to fight Wladimir Klitschko. Ibragimov is going to dispose of Austin in style. Maybe that’s why King did not even come close to winning the purse bid last month. And then with his massive confidence, his speedy straight left and that warrior determination and intensity, I believe he has the best chance to stun Klitschko.
Boxing is in a remarkable position right now. The heavyweight talent is there. The characters are there. For boxing to regain it’s status as the greatest most exciting sport on earth, it must listen to Mike Tyson. “The best fighters have to fight the best,” said Tyson. “To make the best fights.”
We’ve had more than enough of Byrd and Ruiz. Mike Tyson is a historian who knows the sport of boxing. When Mike Tyson gets excited by a fighter, like he is about Sultan Ibragimov, it should be taken as a cue by the boxing powers.
Contact Scoop: Mrbiofile@aol.com
Special Offers »
