WBO makes Ibragimov #1!

WBO President Paco Valcarcel today informed Seminole Warriors Boxing that Sultan Ibragimov has been installed as the number one contender to WBO heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich. "We're honored that the prestigious WBO has made Sultan the number one contender for the world heavyweight championship," said Ibragimov's manager, Boris Grinberg. "We have a lot of respect for the champion, Liakhovich, but we also feel that he is no match for Sultan." The co-promoters of Sultan Ibragimov, Seminole Warriors Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, Golden Grain Promotions and Sampson Lewkowicz are extremely excited about the latest developments and praise the WBO for recognizing Sultan Ibragimov's accomplishments and rewarding him with the #1 ranking and making him the mandatory challenger for Sergei Liakhovich. Ibragimov (19-0-1, 16 KOs), a 2000 Olympic Silver medalist, most recently drew record ratings on ESPN2 while battling to a draw with fellow contender Ray Austin in July. He replaces Luan Krasniqi, who is now rated at #2. Whats next Ray Austin becoming IBF #1...

Comments (20)

fluent2332

anyone else notice the great timing, golden boy just signed him, almost like they had a hand in making this happen :rolleyes:

19y ago

PBDS

If Ibragimov didn't know what to do with a taller bigger Austin, (who realized he is in the ring by the 6th round), he is sure as hell not going to be able to do anything with Wlad. ...After seeing several of Sultans prior fights I was very disappointed in his showing with Austin. Wlad would present even bigger problems for him and he would get crushed IMO.

19y ago

Derranged_

I was on vacation in LA and heard so much about Sultan that i made it a point to catch the replay at 12am on espn2...boy was i dissapointed. I think that everyone who got caught up in the "hype" surrounding this fighter was also dissappointed. IMO, Ibragimov just didn't look like he wanted to win in that fight.

19y ago

El_Jesus

Apparently the WBO did not watch that ESPN2 fight a little while ago. This isn't the best way to appear to be a legitimate sanctioning body. At least make the guy you rank #1 someone who WON HIS LAST FREAKING FIGHT.... maybe it's just me I was on vacation in LA and heard so much about Sultan that i made it a point to catch the replay at 12am on espn2...boy was i dissapointed.

19y ago

Derranged_

IMO, Ibragimov doesn't deserve to be rated anywhere in the top ten heavyweight rankings. First, he looked dreadful in his last fight against a decent fighter in Ray Austin. Had Austin let his hands go a little more, Sultan would've surely been KO'd. Secondly, Ibragimov went from fighting 5 times per year to just once this year. Point is, the guy just hasn't done enough to warrant the #1 spot as top contender. I would like to see him tested at least once more before the WBO or any other sanctioning body ranks him that high.

19y ago

Captain

This just sucks. I wish we could get a legit sanctioning body and fuck all the other ones. True, but at least this way we have some kind of checks and balances. One sanctioning body would get corrupted before it issued the first belt.

19y ago

The_Texican

I've thought all along that he would be a champion. I see him and Sam Peter fighting in a unification bout in two years.

19y ago

Bozo_no_no0305

Was the akward and dull looking draw with Ray Austin just struck from his record? :confused:

19y ago

BIGPOPPAPUMP

Ibragimov The Mandatory To Liakhovich HOLLYWOOD, FL – It goes without saying that unbeaten Heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov is on the fast track to a World Championship. The only question is – who will be the first champion to fall to the Russian power hitter? details]

19y ago

EasyE

This just sucks. I wish we could get a legit sanctioning body and fuck all the other ones.

19y ago

Nautilus

I agree, I'd pick Liakhovich by late KO. I think Sultan will win a UD with probability .6.

19y ago

Captain

If he fights Liakhovich he will most likely loose... I agree, I'd pick Liakhovich by late KO.

19y ago

Leo_Pradun

Sultan is one of two heavyweight prospects that Im interested in. The other, Travis Kaufman, recently won Friday night in PA. Sultan Ibragimov's ability to work the head and body simultaneous was is really impressive. Hes a southpaw who throws alot of hard shots with both hands, and his combinations are really the best in the division right now. The Lance Whitaker fight was golden, but the Austin fight lessened his luster some. Hes young and has wondrous talent, I'm looking forward to him doing something big soon. If he fights Liakhovich he will most likely loose...

19y ago

Nautilus

If Ibragimov didn't know what to do with a taller bigger Austin, (who realized he is in the ring by the 6th round), he is sure as hell not going to be able to do anything with Wlad. I agree... Wlad is by far the best right now...

19y ago

Mr_Ryan

19y ago

Captain

If Ibragimov didn't know what to do with a taller bigger Austin, (who realized he is in the ring by the 6th round), he is sure as hell not going to be able to do anything with Wlad.

19y ago

Nautilus

Apparently the WBO did not watch that ESPN2 fight a little while ago. This isn't the best way to appear to be a legitimate sanctioning body. At least make the guy you rank #1 someone who WON HIS LAST FREAKING FIGHT.... maybe it's just me it was a good, well fought out draw; NEITHER guy lost

19y ago

chawkins

Can Ray Austin protest this??? Or does he have to take it from behind???

19y ago

neils7147933

19y ago

Nautilus

how do u know???? you dont know that, u cant tell nowadays with these politics and sanctioning bodies... of course, i don't know....

19y ago