Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov bid to bring some clarity to the muddled heavyweight division on Saturday when they put their world titles on the line at Madison Square Garden.
The fight between International Boxing Federation champ Klitschko and Ibragimov, holder of the lightly-regarded World Boxing Organisation belt is the first heavyweight unification bout since Britain’s Lennox Lewis became undisputed champion by defeating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Trainer Emanuel Steward believes the fight could be Ukrainian Klitschko’s first step toward dominating the division, but lack of marquee names means his talent may not earn the recognition Stewart thinks he deserves.
”It frustrates me very much because I believe I’m working with one of the best heavyweights in history,” Steward said. ”You consider that he’s six-foot-six and 245 pounds [111kg] and he’s learned how to move on his feet so very well.
”And he’s had 50 fights, which is a tremendous amount in addition to the great amateur background. Yet he doesn’t have anyone to fight that’s of marquee value.
”Lennox was fortunate enough to have Holyfield to fight and [Mike] Tyson, but Wladimir is just unfortunate that there are no names out there.”
Klitschko, who owns a record of 49-3 with 44 knockouts, weighed in on Thursday at 107kg, his lowest weight since his first win over Chris Byrd in October of 2000 and 2,5kg less than in his previous fight.
Russia’s Ibragimov, undefeated in 22 fights with one drawn and 17 knockouts, weighed in at 99,4kg, exactly the same as he did for his last fight, a unanimous decision over the aging Holyfield in Moscow on October 13.
Klitschko, a two-time heavyweight champion who once appeared relegated to the fringes of the division, says Ibragimov (32) will be a tough opponent, despite his unspectacular style.
”This guy is a very intelligent and smart fighter,” Klitschko said.
”He doesn’t look impressive, but he’s very effective.
”Look at what he’s done before. He’s the champion, he’s won the title so we will not underestimate his skills.”
Added Steward: ”He’s a very smart fighter, not the biggest guy, but he knows how to win fights, particularly over big guys.”
Together with unbeaten World Boxing Association champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekhistan and World Boxing Council champion Oleg Maskaev, a Kazak-born Russian-American, all heavyweight titles belong to ex-Soviet Union fighters.
Klitschko will be making his fourth defence of the title he won from Byrd in April 2006 and has said he wants to unify the thrones since his brother Vitali is no longer a rival. – Sapa-AFP