Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sultan Ibragimov: First Heavyweight Unification Since 1999

Would you believe that the last time there was a world title unification in the heavyweight division the date was November 11, 1999?

In a rematch of their earlier controversial melee, Lennox Lewis soundly outpointed Evander Holyfield at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas and walked away with the WBC, WBA and IBF straps. Over eight years have passed since then and in some ways, it seems like yesterday but, with the heavyweight talent pool more arid than the Sahara desert, in another way it also feels like a lifetime ago.

Well, this evening at New Yorkʼs famous Madison Square Garden, the waiting is over as a meeting of champions in what was once boxingʼs most glamorous weight class finally comes around. “Dr. Steelhammer”, Wladimir Klitschko puts his IBF title on the line again Russiaʼs unbeaten WBO titlist Sultan Ibragimov with a win for either man will opening the door to a potential further joining of the world heavyweight crown against WBA supremo Ruslan Chagaev

31 year old Klitschko, 49-3 (44), comes into the contest on the back of a seven fight winning streak and now, under the tutelage of Manny Steward, is exuding more confidence in the ring than Hugh Hefner does in a bedroom full of Playboy bunnies. He feels that he is at the peak of his career and believes he will prove that he is the worldʼs best big man.

“I have to prove that I am the heavyweight champ and do it as impressively as possible.” The likable Ukrainian said early this week. “That is my determination and goal – to clean up the heavyweight division with each fighter I face.

“To be the heavyweight champion means a lot. The title is very special and is different than other titles in sport. The heavyweight champion can use that title to inspire people outside of the ring all over the world.”

The question of is Wladimir really is the best heavyweight in the world is a subject that has been debated many times. His fans will point to his wins over top ranked Americans Calvin Brock and Chris Byrd, plus his revenge win over Lamon Brewster as proof that, like Coca Cola, he is the real thing. His critics will make mention of his stoppage losses to the aforementioned Brewster, Corrie Sanders and Ross Puritty as evidence of his vulnerabilities.

So whatʼs the truth about Wladimirʼs current position in the heavyweight mix? Well, I firmly believe that the 6ft 7ins man from Kiev is the divisionʼs elite operator but heʼs a top man that, on the correct night, is there to be chopped down.

Back in March 2003, South Africaʼs Corrie Sanders, also a fast handed southpaw like Ibragimov, destroyed Wladimir in two rounds. Klitschko had gone into that contest with similar confidence to this but seemed unable to handle Sandersʼ speedy left hand and was knocked to the canvas four times before referee Genaro Rodriguez saved him from more punishment.

To this writer, the Sanders stoppage is the only real knockout loss on his resume as his defeats to American veteran Ross Puritty in 1998 and Lamon Brewster in 2004 were as much a result of a lack of stamina than him being outfought.

Manny Steward, who took over the reigns shortly before his loss to Brewster, now seems to have ironed out the kinks in his conditioning and technique as IBF champ picks his punches better than ever, rather than wasting shots like he used to.

Ibragimov, 20-0-1 (17), comes into the fight as the clear underdog but that wonʼt bother him as he as tackled men of Klitschkoʼs size on several occasions throughout his career. In December 2005, he gave up six inches in height when he took on Lance Whittaker. Ibragimov floored the tough Californian several times before eventually winning on cuts.

Last June, when he won his prized WBO bauble, he came in over 60 pounds lighter than Brooklynʼs Shannon Briggs but, in a similar fashion to the way Ruslan Chagaev wrestled the WBA title from the gigantic Nikolay Valuev, Ibragimov circled continuously to his left while looking to get his shots off in short bursts. Briggs was befuddled by the movement and was unable to fire back with any meaningful punches of his own.

Ibragimov is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him and seems to be relishing the whole occasion of this massive event. This week he said “We had a great camp in Florida, the best camp ever. It’s a unification, it’s going to be great. I am honoured to fight at the Garden.”