Ibragimov-Chagaev Off, Ibragimov-Holyfield On!

[RockyMarciano]

Yay holyfield will be champion again!!!

[beez721]

I would suggest those of you with not so many flattering words for Holyfield rethink your positions upon further reflection. Given the current state of the heavyweight division, Evander's chances of actually accomplishing his goal to unify the "big man's crown" is rather ripe for the picking. Not only is he still in phenomenal shape but he has more boxing knowledge in one of his fists than the entire crop of current heavyweights have in their whole bodies combined at this pt. With his mental toughness, boxing ability, & experience, I'd give him a fighter's chance w/ any of the current 'champs' including Wlad. Ive seen the four fights he's had since coming out of exile and Im convinced the shoulder injuries definitely played a role in his last 3 or 4 lackluster / poor performances (the last being against donald). He's moving well, he's throwing good combinations, and he appears fit & rested. The hand speed isn't what it used to be and the reflexes have slowed as well, but given the skill set of the current heavyweight champs versus the illustrious fighters he's already faced, I'd definitely feel he'll be more than competitive in this fight. Imbragimov better realize he won't be fighting a numb-nutt like shannon briggs this time. Can anybody say....."and new wbo heavyweight champ of the wooorrrld".

his last wins were against guys that lacked hand speed,,combination punching and movement. the last 2 guys that had some or all of the above were donald and toney. you guys are setting yourself up for heartbreak. Im rooting for holy but his chances are slim to none. sultan has too much hand speed for holy to deal with. he's also not likely to let holy get his rest at times during the fight as well. holy's only chance would be if sultan came in fat and out of shape at 230+ like he did with austin but thats very doubtful

[beez721]

Chagaev is a joke and he backed off because he is a coward... People are afraid of Sultan. Just like Shannon Briggs was, Sultan has a great trainer right now. And if it's true that Sultans going to fight Holyfield. Then Sultan wins, I will bet all my points Sultan puts holyfield into retirement once and for all.

naa,,,,chageav has fought good opposition in the ams and pro;s. I dont see why he'd be ducking sultan,,when there's actually just as dangerous opponents out there to fight. there's probably an issue we dont know about here

[Lance Uppercut]

Everyone screaming how this "doesn't make sense", do you knw anything about boxing? It's about $$ and this fight with Holyfield will pay Ibragimov MILLIONS more than any other fight in the division. You may not like it but those are the facts.

[beez721]

I give Holyfield the edge here, but this will only lead to further punishment for him.

how do you give holy an edge? by getting beaten in one sided fights by donald and toney,,,,then beating oquendo ( questionable win),,,bates,,,maddalone and savareese? hello?

[beez721]

Everyone screaming how this "doesn't make sense", do you knw anything about boxing? It's about $$ and this fight with Holyfield will pay Ibragimov MILLIONS more than any other fight in the division. You may not like it but those are the facts.

yea,,,I dont fault ibragimov for taking this fight. why take on a riskier opponent such as a tony thompson or juan gomez when you can fight a legend that will bring a hell of a lot more $$ and attention

[Rudyo]

****!!!

Please god let Ibragimov win and then either Wlad or him take on Changeav when he gets better. If Holyfield wins the title It will set the division back a little bit.

[mr.anthrax]

Damn. Am I the only person that thinks this might actually be a good fight to watch? This seems like it should be a competitive fight with some action, and with or without unification, a good scrap is still important to me.

[Cambria]

Holyfield to get title Shot

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) -- Evander Holyfield will replace Ruslan Chagaev in a bout against Sultan Ibragimov in Russia in October, six days before the former heavyweight champ's 45th birthday.

Event organizers announced Thursday that Chagaev, the WBA heavyweight champion, was withdrawing because of unspecified medical reasons. He was scheduled to fight Ibragimov, the WBO champ, in an Oct. 13 unification bout at Khodynka Arena in Moscow.

In his latest comeback attempt, Holyfield (42-8-2, 27 KOs) is seeking to earn a record fifth heavyweight title.

The 32-year old Ibragimov, who will be fighting in his native country, is 21-0-1 with 17 KOs.

[Lance Uppercut]

Try reading before posting holmes. There's already like 6 different threads about the bout lol.