Wladimir Klitschko VS. Sultan Ibragimov

In the first heavyweight unification title bout in nearly ten years, the “Steel Hammer” Wladimir Klitsckho will attempt to pound follow titleholder, “Sutlan Ibragimov” into submission. In the opinion of most boxing fans; on February 23 in Madison Square Garden Klitsckho will do just that.

One of the most likeable guys in boxing today; Waldimir Klitschko has for the last two years, steamrolled through the heavyweight a division. A division devoid of the likes of great names. Names like: Ali, George Foreman, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, Ron Lyle, Jerry Quarry, Ernie Shavers and Larry Holmes.

When we ponder those names; we think of an era that produced an incredible array of heavyweight boxing talent.

I remember running home to see exciting heavyweight fights on Wide World of Sports and the familiar, if not annoying voice of “Howard Cossell.” Those glory days of heavyweight boxing certainly appear to be over. Except for Wladimir Klitsckho!

Wladimir Klitsckho is the best we have now! He is the IBF heavyweight champion. And he is very good! With a record of (49-3, 44 KOs) he has beaten or destroyed every top heavyweight he has faced. His last performance in Maidson Square Garden was a convincing and devastating knockout of highly regarded heavyweight Calvin Brock.

In the last three years, Klitschko defeated Nigerian knockout artist Samuel Peter and had Peter badly hurt in the last round of the fight. And he totally demolished skilled boxer and former champion Chris Byrd. Wladimir will defeat Sultan Ibragimov this Saturday in the Madison Square Garden.

I take nothing away from Ibrogimov. He is the WBO heavyweight champion. He is a skilled and very intelligent fighter. He is determined and has the ability and the courage to make this a tough fight. I just don’t think he will be able to handle Klitsckho’s awesome right hand power shots, and the obvious reach advantage that Wladimir will have.

Wladimir also has one of the best trainers in boxing histroy; in the form of legendary trainer Emmanuel Stewart. The two have demonstrated an amazing ability to make quick in-ring adjustments in tough fights.

With 22 wins, no losses and 17 knockouts; Ibragimov has proven talent. However I doubt if his talent will be enough to last the distance with hard-hitting Wladimir Klitsckho. My prediction is that Klitsckho will light up Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, with a spectacular knockout and unify the heavyweight title belts.

Kelly Pavlik defeated Jermaine Taylor this Saturday by unanimous decision in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. It was a great fight.

We all expected another smashing Pavlik knockout, but it was not to be. Taylor was knocked cold by Pavlik four months ago, losing the middleweight championship. However, for the rematch he changed his game plan and did not trade punches with Pavlik. Both fighters put on a fantastic display and Pavlik proved that is a great fighter.