Briggs is fighting Ibragimov

See Sergei was never an all out offensive fighter. He fought that way against Brewster because Brewster gassed early and he knew he had to capitalize on this twist of fate (a very ironic one, consider it's usually Brewster's opponent who gasses). Sultan truly is an aggressive guy. Completely different temperment than Sergei. I do not see him being afraid of Briggs, who isn't as relaxed or patient as Austin was, or as good at fighting tall, to sit back and play counterpuncher while Sultan is coming right at him.

the question will be - is sultan prepared to jump in on briggs, possibly eating a right hand in order to hit briggs with multiple shots..or is he going to pull a serge and be afraid to fight on the inside. if he can jump in on briggs and outwork him on the inside he will win. it can go either way though, I can see briggs winning by KO just as easily

It was already ruled before he fought Liakhovich that the winner must face mandatory Ibragimov. the winner had 90 days to fight Sultan, maybe he could have got an exception or just fought Wlad. Not it seems confirmed that they are fighting.

Briggs does not step out of range as well, and he is not as tall as Austin. Briggs does not use his height as effectively as Austin did. Briggs and Ray Austin are two very different fighters, and just because Ibragimov had trouble late in his fight with Austin (after kicking his ass early and hurting him repeatedly) does not mean Briggs will give much resistance. I do not think this will be a hard fight for Ibragimov who puts on way too much pressure with his two fisted attack for Briggs to deal with. I strongly agree with you on all points. lets hope sultan comes in at around 220 range. he was too heavy and soft his last fight and it nearly cost him. he will be vulnerable to the briggs right hand,,but briggs will also be vulnerable to sultans left and briggs stamina problem will be a much bigger problem for him against sultan than it was for serge

Lykahovic is bigger, more technically sound and an overall much stronger opponent than Sultan. My only concern for Briggs is I dont think he has ever faced a decent southpaw in his career before. This thing could go either way. I strongly disagree about serge. he's not as strong or as hard a hitter as sultan. hell serge was knocked out by mo harris for crying out loud. he just happened to catch brewster at the right time

I hate Briggs. But their is no way he is losing to Sultan. When Sultan attempts to come inside on Briggs, Sultan will get countered and either fall or get too scared to lunge back in, for fear of getting knocked out. Just like Sergei did. sultan is a much better and more dangerous fighter than the overrated serge. sure briggs has a punchers chance but not as good a chance as sultan in my opinion. I think sultan is a better fighter than what he showed in his last fight. he was 10 lbs heavier than his usual weight and it showed. plus briggs doesnt use his height and reach like austin did. he does hit harder than austin so that could pose a problem,,but I think sultan survives the early rounds and takes a tired briggs out

Lykahovic is bigger, more technically sound and an overall much stronger opponent than Sultan. My only concern for Briggs is I dont think he has ever faced a decent southpaw in his career before. This thing could go either way.

I'm glad that this fight is in the works and hope it can be scheduled 2-3 months from now. Right now I would say 50% of posters here are picking Briggs and the other 50% are picking Ibragimov(I'm taking Briggs by KO); so neither fighter has proven himself enough to be declared a favorite like Klitschko was over Brock. My point is, this fight will help determine whether Briggs is a serious force to reckoned with in this division or if Ibragimov is. Both fighters are coming off of less than stellar performances in their last fights and this one should help give fans and analysts alittle transparency. LOL, you're right about their less than stellar performances. The big difference though, is that Briggs' "less than stellar performance" resulted in him having the belt, while Ibragimov's resulted in... a draw with Austin.

I'm siding with Kid Achilles (as I tend to do) and plumping for Ibragimov. I'd be delighted to have a good American beltholder but Briggs can't even get in good shape for a title shot. How's he going to be more motivated now that he has a belt? Any semi-decent fighter just has to ride out 2 rounds, then attack while keeping their guard up. I don't know what Lyakovich was doing in the few months before the fight but it was a different fighter than the one who faced Brewster. Who knows, maybe Briggs can ride out a string of bad performances by opponents but I can't see Ibragimov or anyone not giving their best for a title.

Is there any indication on when this fight will occur? I would think no longer then 2-3 months from now seeing that Ibragimov has been inactive since July and that Briggs has been fighting frequently of late. Plus the sooner this fight occurrs then the sooner a unification fight can occur.

I'm glad that this fight is in the works and hope it can be scheduled 2-3 months from now. Right now I would say 50% of posters here are picking Briggs and the other 50% are picking Ibragimov(I'm taking Briggs by KO); so neither fighter has proven himself enough to be declared a favorite like Klitschko was over Brock. My point is, this fight will help determine whether Briggs is a serious force to reckoned with in this division or if Ibragimov is. Both fighters are coming off of less than stellar performances in their last fights and this one should help give fans and analysts alittle transparency. I agree with you, especially the second paragraph.

I'm glad that this fight is in the works and hope it can be scheduled 2-3 months from now. Right now I would say 50% of posters here are picking Briggs and the other 50% are picking Ibragimov(I'm taking Briggs by KO); so neither fighter has proven himself enough to be declared a favorite like Klitschko was over Brock. My point is, this fight will help determine whether Briggs is a serious force to reckoned with in this division or if Ibragimov is. Both fighters are coming off of less than stellar performances in their last fights and this one should help give fans and analysts alittle transparency.

Good point. Doesn't change my opinion that Sultan's pressure causes Brigg's to completely wilt, but I think that is fine reasoning. As shitty as Briggs looked, he did beat a guy many people (including myself) considered a top five heavyweight in the world.

Sultan has good stamina, a good chin, and loves to go on the attack. You see, a lot of people, myself including, said exactly the same damn thing about Liakhovich prior to his fight with Briggs.

I honestly don't see why people are so hard on Ibragimov who looked better in drawing with Austin than Briggs did with winning against Sergei. Am I the only one who realizes that the only reason Sergei lost that fight is he became Brigg's bitch and refused to trade with him and capitalize on Brigg's poor wind until he was too worn down himself? Sultan has good stamina, a good chin, and loves to go on the attack. He is Briggsacide. I will gladly bet all my points on a Sultan win with anyone here. Nope. I wouldn't have worded it quite that way; but that's pretty much what happened.

I honestly don't see why people are so hard on Ibragimov who looked better in drawing with Austin than Briggs did with winning against Sergei. Am I the only one who realizes that the only reason Sergei lost that fight is he became Brigg's bitch and refused to trade with him and capitalize on Brigg's poor wind until he was too worn down himself? Sultan has good stamina, a good chin, and loves to go on the attack. He is Briggsacide. I will gladly bet all my points on a Sultan win with anyone here. I wouldnt rate one performance highly above the other,but as shit as everybody looked at least briggs scored a KO,in a fight that could have also ended in a draw. You said Sergei became brigg's bitch,but come on,what does that say about Sultan drawing with Austin,who liked shit.

I honestly don't see why people are so hard on Ibragimov who looked better in drawing with Austin than Briggs did with winning against Sergei. Am I the only one who realizes that the only reason Sergei lost that fight is he became Brigg's bitch and refused to trade with him and capitalize on Brigg's poor wind until he was too worn down himself? Sultan has good stamina, a good chin, and loves to go on the attack. He is Briggsacide. I will gladly bet all my points on a Sultan win with anyone here.

according to fightnews, the Briggs vs S. Ibragimov fight is going to purse bid. Looks like Briggs isnt going to go after the other champs right away. LOL!!! Hell, Briggs may not have a chance. Ibragimov can beat him.

Briggs does not step out of range as well, and he is not as tall as Austin. Briggs does not use his height as effectively as Austin did. Briggs and Ray Austin are two very different fighters, and just because Ibragimov had trouble late in his fight with Austin (after kicking his ass early and hurting him repeatedly) does not mean Briggs will give much resistance. I do not think this will be a hard fight for Ibragimov who puts on way too much pressure with his two fisted attack for Briggs to deal with. but austin looked like shit in that fight.I cant believe he gave sultan trouble. Im picking briggs.

Briggs does not step out of range as well, and he is not as tall as Austin. Briggs does not use his height as effectively as Austin did. Briggs and Ray Austin are two very different fighters, and just because Ibragimov had trouble late in his fight with Austin (after kicking his ass early and hurting him repeatedly) does not mean Briggs will give much resistance. I do not think this will be a hard fight for Ibragimov who puts on way too much pressure with his two fisted attack for Briggs to deal with.