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Bad Left Hook Fight Night: Wladimir Klitschko v. Sultan Ibragimov

MAIN EVENT
For the IBF, IBO and WBO Heavyweight Titles
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
(49-3, 44 KO, Kiev, Ukraine)
versus
SULTAN IBRAGIMOV
(22-0-1, 17 KO, Rostov, Russia)

I'm not sure how long it'll last, but I expect this to be a fairly entertaining heavyweight fight.

If it turns into a slugfest, Klitschko will blow him out. He just hits too hard and is too precise these days. But if Ibragimov and Jeff Mayweather can make this a boxing match, Sultan has a chance to outpoint Wlad.

You also have to consider the similarities between Ibragimov and Corrie Sanders, but not give it a TON of weight. The HBO.com preview has it right: They're both lefties, good on their feet, not huge power. But Sanders annihilated Klitschko that night.

The reason I don't give it a ton of weight, though, is simply that Wladimir Klitschko is a much better fighter than he was in 2003. He's much, much smarter.

My pick: Klitschko TKO-7, but I think Sultan has a legit shot to push this fight deep and maybe take it the distance. He just can't get blasted, which is easier said than done.

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Unifying the belts
So after this fight, Peter and Maskaev square off, followed by Chagaev and Valuev.  What happens after that?  Doesn't the winner of tonight's fight have a mandatory against Alexander Povetkin next?

What are the odds of the Peter/Maskaev winner facing the Chagaev/Valuev winner with the winner of that facing the winner of Klitschko/Ibragimov/Povetkin?  I'm guessing somewhere between slim and none but it's turning into a quasi-elimination tournament for the undisputed heavyweight champ.  Of course, that's assuming they're all willing to work towards unifying the title.

by Fooch @ Bad Left Hook on Feb 23, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

yup
Povetkin is the mandatory for the IBF belt. And the WBC will bow to Vitali Klitschko any time he asks. PLUS, Tony Thompson has a shot at the WBO champion.

So the quasi-tournament would sort of look like this:

W Klitschko
S Ibragimov     WINNER

                A Povetkin
                T Thompson (so, two fights, in some order)

R Chagaev
N Valuev        WINNER

                BYE

O Maskaev
S Peter         WINNER

                V Klitschko

So, yeah. It'll take a while if it ever actually happens. It's also rather silly overall.

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 9:28 PM EST up reply actions  

V Klitschko
While I enjoyed the elder Klitschko as a fighter, I really don't want to see him win, considering the promise not to fight his brother.  Although, if they ever did battle for the heavyweight title, it would definitely bring a unique enough angle to draw people back to the heavyweights.  I'm not holding my breath for that though.

by Fooch @ Bad Left Hook on Feb 23, 2008 9:38 PM EST up reply actions  

re:
I don't want Vitali to win because this entire comeback scenario has been really weasely. I don't understand the WBC's loyalty to or reverence of Vitali Klitschko -- what did he ever really do, you know?

I'm not saying he wasn't a hell of a fighter, because he was. But I do not care for his comeback at all. "I'll fight McCline! Oh no, I'm injured. I'll wait and just fight the champ!"

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
Great documentary. If anyone missed it, try to catch a replay. It's well worth the hour and a half of your time.

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions  

Its a mess...
The heavyweight picture is fucked up.

Undercard is on Duddy is getting battered. Slugfest!!!

Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 9:46 PM EST reply actions  

what the hell
How does Jim Lampley not know how to pronounce Ivan Drago? Ee-vahn Drag-oh?

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:09 PM EST reply actions  

re-watching Pavlik-Taylor II
I still have Taylor winning this fight. It's rare I change my mind on a second viewing, but it has happened.

I will tell you this, though: It's a better fight than I credited it at first. I thought it was good -- now, I'd say it was really good, close to great. I think my initial disappointment just came from it not being at all like the first fight, which still blows it out of the water. But this was an excellent show of boxing from both guys.

Also, after a second viewing I'm now really sure that Taylor is going to be outstanding at 168. He took some good shots from Kelly Pavlik and took them well. I think the added weight is really going to benefit him.

What Jermain did that lost him the fight on the cards, I believe, is he did let himself nap too frequently. A lot of Pavlik's long unanswered punching rallies didn't get home, but you can't let someone throw 10, 12, 15 punches in a row without throwing anything back. I totally understand anyone that scored for Kelly.

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:25 PM EST reply actions  

also...
Is it just me, or does Jack Loew's act wear real FUCKIN thin over the course of 12 FUCKIN rounds FUCK? I'm not against FUCK bad FUCKIN language, but he really FUCKIN forFUCKces it, doesn't he? FUCK! MOTHERFUCKER SHIT ASS

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:28 PM EST reply actions  

did Sultan pick that music?
EVERY DAY I'M HUSTLIN
EVERY DAY I'M HUSTLIN
EVERY DAY I'M HUSTLIN
EVERY DAY I'M HUSTLIN

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:37 PM EST reply actions  

lets get ready 2 rumble...
Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 10:39 PM EST reply actions  

Round 1
Ibragimov is sticking the jab in, and Wlad is literally hammering his hand down. Both guys paw for the first minute.

Klitschko, in fact, isn't dong anything but hitting his hand. Ibragimov is just putting his right hand up there to get knocked down. This is kind of absurd actually.

The height difference is also very, very obvious. Wlad looks like a giant.

Really actionless opening round. "Tactical" if you want to be really nice about it. I think Sultan landed one halfassed hook to the body, and there's a jab to the body.

The boo birds are coming out near the bell. It's a minority, but you can hear them.

Ibragimov 10-9

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:45 PM EST reply actions  

Round 2
First 30 seconds of the second round are the same thing.

A minute in, and the boos are becoming more apparent. Someone has got to punch. This is like that infamous Shamrock-Severn fight, for longtime MMA fans.

Jab from Klitschko gets Sultan to step back, and does it again. Jab to the body from Sultan. Ibragimov is now ducking Klitschko's jab.

Back to the pawing and slapping of Ibragimov's right hand. Ibragimov tries to work his way in a little, but fails twice.

And now the boos are the majority.

Klitschko 10-9
19-19

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:49 PM EST reply actions  

Round 3
Hard jab from Klitschko. Sticks another one in, a glancing blow.

Ibragimov seems almost scared of Klitschko. I mean, how else can you explain the fact that he is basically refusing to throw anything? You gotta get hit to hit a guy with the big reach advantage.

More right hand sticking out, more right hand knocking down.

Halfway through the third and we're still not getting any kind of real show.

Now Ibragimov storms in, but his attempt fails pretty badly. Wlad landing a few really shitty jabs (basically body lunges where his outstretched hand connects with Ibragimov's chest) is winning rounds.

I got a text from a friend just now: "This fight sucks so far." Well said.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 29-28

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:53 PM EST reply actions  

Ok Jim i gotta tell ya..
Wk up 30-28

Nothing much going on. Whats all this pawing..

Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 10:54 PM EST reply actions  

Ok Jim i gotta tell ya..
Wk up 30-28

Nothing much going on. Whats all this pawing..

Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 10:55 PM EST reply actions  

meow
Sort of like watching cats spar so far.

by unemployedjournalist on Feb 23, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions  

Round 4
There's a decent shot from Wladimir. How about that?

I don't know what the hell to tell you about this fight. If you're watching and this goes 12 rounds, then God be with you.

Klitschko's jab is winning this fight. It's not even impressive, really. He's just hitting him now and again, and that is good enough.

Slow, ugly overhand left from Ibragimov. The most that happened as a result of that punch is Ibragimov looked like he almost lost his balance when it lovingly caressed Klitschko's skin.

Ibragimov goes to the body with roundhouse lefts, back-to-back.

Terrible fucking fight so far. God awful.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 39-37

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions  

Round 5
First minute is no better than the previous 12.

There's a right hand from Klitschko, and Ibragimov is shaken a little. Sultan drops his hands to showboat, but Klitschko doesn't bite on it.

Showing you're not hurt is such a great way to get killed. If you're not hurt, fuck, let the other guy think you are. Then wail on him when he storms. I've never understood the strategy. The only guy that acts like something didn't hurt is hurt.

Another slow round. Klitschko is doing his thing and winning rounds. Ibragimov can't do fuck all.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 49-46

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions  

ugh
This fight is so shit ass boring, it makes me question HBO's thinking in showing a documentary, a replay and then a snorefest.  The highlights from the undercard make it look like something I'd have rather seen.

by unemployedjournalist on Feb 23, 2008 11:02 PM EST reply actions  

Round 6
Sultan is now swinging some wild right hooks to try and hurt Wlad or at least get inside, but it's such a reach up and he's established nothing so far, so it's just not getting there.

Straight left to the gut from Ibragimov.

That was about a minute ago. The crowd has well turned on this.

Ibragimov is lunging a lot more now, seemingly getting desperate as we steadily approach the halfway mark. And two right hooks do land. Not flush, and not exactly precise punches. But they landed. And you know what? Good enough to win the round.

Ibragimov 10-9
Klitschko 58-56

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:05 PM EST reply actions  

Snoooze..
Wk up 60-56

Sultan looks confused. Wlad should go in and bomb him. Shit scared of takin one on chin.

Pick up lads

Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 11:06 PM EST reply actions  

Round 7
Hey! Cheering! Someone threw a punch!

Ibragimov does have good hand speed for a heavyweight. You would never know it watching this fight.

Wlad is actually starting to open up in spots this round. I think he knows he can knock Ibragimov out. I think he now is 100% sure he has nothing to fear from Ibragimov's power or style.

Klitschko is now consistently sticking him with the jab. Well, a few of them anyway.

One good thing I can say about this: No clinching.

Ibragimov gets backed against the ropes, but Klitschko lets him get out without a fight. The crowd buzzes every time Sultan is backed against the ropes -- he's there again, and Wlad is doing NOTHING.

What the hell IS this fight?

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 68-65

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:09 PM EST reply actions  

Round 8
Klitschko goes in with a right hand against the ropes, but winds up hugging Ibragimov instead.

THERE is a straight right following the jab, and Klitschko snapped Sultan's head back there. Sultan gets thrown to the mat. That's a psychological move.

Ibragimov hurt by another right hand. He is being thoroughly outclassed now. That straight right is nasty when he's choosing to employ it.

This proves once and for all that beating Shannon Briggs and a 44-year old Evander Holyfield does not mean you're one of the best heavies in the world. This Ibragimov looks a lot like the guy that was so awful against Ray Austin.

Wlad with a flurry, most of it ducked, but the right did land again. ibragimov's ugly lefts to the body just aren't landing hard at all.

Best round of the fight! Not saying much.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 78-74

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions  

Round 9
Back to the goddamned pawing.

Klitschko hits him again, and Ibragimov very nearly avoids going down. That SHOULD have been ruled a knockdown. The ropes and Wlad's leg kept Ibragimov up. Two rights put him down, the referee just didn't score it as such.

Now Ibragimov misses a right hook and starts to wrestle Wlad with a waistlock. Ibragimov is just awful tonight. He doesn't look like a top 15 heavyweight, let alone top five.

Right hook to the body from Ibragimov, again all but ignored by Klitschko. Wlad swings at him again, and Ibragimov is now legitimately fearful of Klitschko.

Jab from Wlad. Now Ibragimov is hugging more.

Vitali givees his brother water.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 88-83

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:18 PM EST reply actions  

Round 10
Sultan is -- oh, there's an actual fall from both. That was a tackle by Ibragimov. Two points!

Klitschko continues to easily win the boxing match after that ridiculous shit is over with.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 98-92

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:21 PM EST reply actions  

Round 10 wrestiling
Wk is a mile in front.
Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 11:22 PM EST reply actions  

Round 11
Manny Steward: "You should never go 12 rounds with this guy."

He's imploring him to utilize the right hand more, but I don't see it happening. This is in the bag, no reason to risk anything at this point. A knockout isn't going to make people have a better opinion of this snoozefest.

There's a 1-2 from Ibragimov. Actually, more of a 1..........2.

Klitschko BARELY misses a home run shot that followed a huge whiff from Ibragimov.

The commentators are just totally bored to death.

HUGE counter right hand from Klitschko, and Ibragimov wobbles badly before being saved by the bell. That was punch No. 1 of a KO combo. A flat KO combo.

Manny: "To win a decision in this fight is not good at all."

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 108-101

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:26 PM EST reply actions  

Round 12
Manny has really gotten on Wlad, telling him to knock Ibragimov out.

Klitschko is pressing a little more, and I don't like the strategy. Max said it right: This fight is over with. Just box for three minutes and look forward to Povetkin.

Now Wladimir is back to just jabbing and controlling. This has been some kind of easy fight for Klitschko. He'll say it wasn't, but it was. Ibragimov never tested him.

And he's winning another round with total ease. Ibragimov has long since given up on winning this fight.

10 seconds to go. Let's see if ANYTHING happens.

Nope.

Klitschko 10-9
Klitschko 118-110

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:29 PM EST reply actions  

Never Caught Fire
Wk 120-101.

Poor fight. Wlad gets the belts.

Im off to bed. 4.30am here.

Goodnight gents

Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 11:31 PM EST reply actions  

KLITSCHKO-IBRAGIMOV OFFICIAL SCORES
119-110
117-111
118-110

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
NEW WBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
STILL IBF/IBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

Easy, easy fight to score.

by Scott Christ on Feb 23, 2008 11:32 PM EST reply actions  

opps
Wk 120-110 i mean
Mainstream is brought to you..Underground you got to go there

by mrdink on Feb 23, 2008 11:33 PM EST reply actions  

Fights
Klitschko-Ibragimov was a god-awful fight.  It's sad to think both these guys were heavyweight champions.  Sad, sad, sad.  I'm not sure what else to say about it.

The most interesting thing I saw tonight was the 30-second clip of the John Duddy fight.  He looked awful against a complete nobody.  Large Irish following or not, I'm not sure what this does for the marketability of Pavlik-Duddy.  No one can actually think Duddy has a shot.

by Kevin Gonzalez on Feb 23, 2008 11:51 PM EST reply actions  

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