By Rick Reeno
Later tonight at New York's Madison Square Garden, a rare boxing event is taking place. Two heavyweight champions are fighting tonight, not in separate bouts, but against each other. IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko (49-3, 44 KOs), regarded as the best heavyweight in the world, will be challenged by undefeated WBO champ Sultan Ibragimov (22-0-1, 17 KOs).
One of them will walk away with two titles, we hope. The last time a heavyweight unification took in place in Madison Square Garden, (Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield 1 on 11/13/99), the sport saw one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the heavyweight division. Lewis was viewed as the clear winner by an overwhelming majority of ringside observers and television viewers, but the official judges scored the fight a draw. Investigations and conspiracy theories ran wild, a rematch took place, and Lewis took the decision in a much closer fight.
Sultan is smaller, quicker and more agile. Klitschko has done very well against smaller boxers with a lot of movement, like Chris Byrd. But Sultan actually has the punching power that Byrd lacks. He can hit hard enough to crack Klitschko's suspect chin. To crack his chin, Sultan needs to get close by walking right into the fire. Sultan's combination of power and speed makes the fight a lot more interesting.
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