Chagaev-Ibragimov Set To Unify in October

[Steelhammer86]

Neither Sultan nor Ruslan have a level of popularity that Valuev had, first of all they are not russians in a pure sense of it(both are from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan or whatever) which proved to be rather important from marketing point of view due to extensively nationalistic moods in Russia. Another thing was that although they were marketed, most of the marketing power was targeted at Valuev who later was exposed as a flop. Both of the fighters pretty much "grew up" in Valuev's shadow.
Yes, they are rather popular, but neither got the street recognition factor that Valuev or Klitschkos have.

No, Sultan Ibragimov is a Russian, he was born in Russia and is a Russian citizen, and he's represented his country in the Olympics and other international tournaments.

However Ruslan Chagaev is not, he's a Uzbek citizen who's father is Chechen (Russian) and his mother is an Uzbek. He is probably the most popular athlete in Uzbekestan. I've read that every TV in his country was tuned in to his fight with Valuev, and some 25,000 people came out to greet him when he returned home. There was a parade in his honor.

But in Russia itself, Sultan would obviously be more popular and better known, and have the "street recognition" while Ruslan would not. However, I bet Ruslan would be very well known by boxing fans in Russia.

[realheavyhands]

this is gonna be a war

[Leo Pradun]

I would not say that they are house hold names in either germany or russia.

They are rather popular, but beither reached the popularit of Klitschkos or even Valuev.

They still have a lot of place to grow in terms of popularity. People really did not see enough of either fighter.

And to be popular you have to be constantly promoted, which neither had been.

u are right, its a unification fight but between who? Klitschko will still be the number 1 guy even if one of them hold 2 belts

[Leo Pradun]

this is really nothing to get excited about after u think about it for awhile, I mean the belts have been changing hands like its nothing lately and these guys are very little known, its a good step forward but its to early for unification for these guys

[Hitman932]

this is really nothing to get excited about after u think about it for awhile, I mean the belts have been changing hands like its nothing lately and these guys are very little known, its a good step forward but its to early for unification for these guys

actually it is something to be excited about if you consider it this way..

when one of them is the unified champ there is no alternative except for klitschko and once wlad beats brewster there are no logical choices besides unifying belts... instead of wlad fighting one of these guys for either belt he will instead have the opprutunity to take hold of 2 belts in a single fight.

the big question will be when a fight with klitschko is negotiated will these guys be calling for the lions share of the purse cause theyre the "unified champ"

[DiegoFuego]

I always said the first guy to unify two belts is the champion in my book. Funny, I always thought it would be Wladimir or Vitali, but they did absolutely nothing to try to unify any belts.

[DiegoFuego]

u are right, its a unification fight but between who? Klitschko will still be the number 1 guy even if one of them hold 2 belts

no way. whoever steps up to the plate is the #1 guy. you can't tell me these guys wouldn't fight Wlad. Wlad brings the most money in the division. he didn't try to unify the belts. they are.

[beez721]

no way. whoever steps up to the plate is the #1 guy. you can't tell me these guys wouldn't fight Wlad. Wlad brings the most money in the division. he didn't try to unify the belts. they are.

uh,,,hello? he tried to unify with maskeav but maskeav's people declined saying maskeav wasnt ready,,, instead he faced brock and was then forced to fight austin or be stripped

[realheavyhands]

all chagaev has is a left hand its powerful.. but sultan hits with both

[beez721]

all chagaev has is a left hand its powerful.. but sultan hits with both

this is a very tough fight to call. Im leaning slightly toward chageav but I dont know. could go either way