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Sultan Ibragimov

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Sultan Ibragimov
Султан Ибрагимов
Born
Sultan-Ahmed
Magomedsalihovich
Ibragimov

(1975-03-08) 8 March 1975 (age 49)
Tlyarata, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
NationalityRussian
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Reach193 cm (76 in)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins22
Wins by KO17
Losses1
Draws1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Russia
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2000 Sydney Heavyweight
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 2000 Tampere Heavyweight
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Belfast Heavyweight

Sultan-Ahmed Magomedsalihovich Ibragimov (Russian: Султан-Ахмед Магомедсалихович Ибрагимов; born 8 March 1975)[1] is a retired Russian professional boxer of Dagestani descent who competed from 2002 to 2008, and held the WBO heavyweight title from 2007 to 2008.[2] As an amateur he won silver medals at the 2000 Olympics and 2000 European Championships, and bronze at the 2001 World Championships, all in the heavyweight division.

Ibragimov is one of six southpaws to become world heavyweight champion: the others being Michael Moorer, Corrie Sanders, Chris Byrd, Ruslan Chagaev, and Charles Martin.

Amateur career

Ibragimov took up boxing at the age of 17, when he came to Rostov-on-Don and joined a local college, training under a tutelage of Anatoly Chernyayev. Soon after he was spotted by the AIBA Vice President and Russia's top boxing official Ramazan Abacharayev, his compatriot from Dagestan, who became his trainer and mentor for a long time.

Ibragimov had over 130 fights as an amateur, competing in heavyweight, claiming 135 victories, and having at least 6 known losses (no stoppages.)

Highlights

Professional career

Ibragimov turned professional and rose through the heavyweight ranks by knocking out former world cruiserweight champion Al Cole, Zuri Lawrence, Friday Ahunanya and former heavyweight contender Lance Whitaker. On 28 July 2007, Ibragimov faced Ray Austin in a 12-round IBF heavyweight title eliminator. Austin, having had fought at the professional level for eight years, was four years older than Ibragimov coming into the bout, with ESPN commentators believing this was Austin's last chance to earn a shot at the heavyweight title.[3] Though Ibragimov appeared to have outboxed Austin for the majority of the fight,[3] the judges ruled the bout a split draw, with the scorecards being 115–111 for Ibragimov, 114–112 for Austin and 113–113 even.[4] According to CompuBox, Ibragimov landed 107 shots out of 347 (30.8%) while Austin landed 112 punches out of 463 thrown (24.2%). Ibragimov outlanded Austin in five rounds out of twelve, with two rounds being even in terms of landed shots (including the fourth round in which Ibragimov knocked Austin down). He also landed more power punches in rounds 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 and 12, with 2nd round being even.[5]

WBO heavyweight champion

Main article: Sultan Ibragimov vs. Evander Holyfield

Despite the draw against Ray Austin, Ibragimov received a title shot from another sanctioning organization, the WBO. He was scheduled to challenge Shannon Briggs for the WBO world heavyweight title on 10 March 2007, but because Briggs became ill with pneumonia, Ibragimov instead faced Javier Mora at Madison Square Garden in New York on that date. Ibragimov knocked out Mora 46 seconds into the first round. This win broke the record for the quickest knockout in a main event bout in Madison Square Garden, which was previously held by Lee Savold who defeated Buddy Walker in 1948.[6]

Prior to facing Briggs, Ibragimov changed his training camp, having joined Jeff Mayweather. Under Mayweather, Ibragimov moved away from his aggressive volume-punching fighting style, instead trying to adapt the more defensive style known as "Philly Shell".[6] Ibragimov eventually faced Shannon Briggs for the WBO world heavyweight title in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 2 June 2007.[7] Ibragimov was 52 pounds lighter than his opponent coming into the bout.[8] With the exception of an early and late pressure by Briggs in round one & twelve, rounds two to eleven were mostly controlled by Ibragimov, out-boxing his larger opponent with fast combinations. Ibragimov won the fight by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 119–109, 115–113 and 117–111.[7]

On 13 October 2007, Sultan Ibragimov won his first title defense against the aging former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision[9] at Khodynka Arena in Moscow, Russia.[10]

Unification bout against Wladimir Klitschko

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sultan Ibragimov

By the end of October 2007, Ibragimov started negotiations with then-IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko about the unification showdown in the near future. This would be the first heavyweight unification fight since November 13, 1999 when WBC champion Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield who was WBA and IBF champion at the time.[11][12] On November 20, Klitschko and Ibragimov officially signed the contract for their unification clash to take place on February 23, 2008 at Madison Square Garden.[13] Two days later in Moscow, a first pre-fight press-conference was held.[14] Klitschko began his preparations for the fight on 18 December. His training camp was located between Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Palm Beach, Florida.[15] Ibragimov began his preparations for the bout on 25 December. Among Ibragimov's sparring partners were Klitschko's former opponent Jameel McCline and Swedish heavyweight prospect Attila Levin.[16][17]

In the pre-fight prediction, a vast majority of Ukrainian, Russian and American observers expected Ibragimov by either stoppage or unanimous decision. Out of six journalists of the Ukrainian magazine Ring, five predicted Klitschko to stop Ibragimov, with only one expecting Klitschko to win by decision. Only two of 26 members of boxingscene.com expected Ibragimov to win by decision. Two of the 12 members of ringsidereport.com picked Ibragimov to win by stoppage, with one of them saying that Ibragimov was more resilient psychologically and could withstand Klitschko's power.[18] In the build-up to the fight, Klitschko's trainer Emmanuel Steward said that Ibragimov was going to be Wladimir's toughest opponent to date, praising Ibragimov for his hand speed and mobility, while Klitschko complimented Ibragimov on his accomplishments: "Sultan Ibragimov is a boxer that hasn't lost in any of his 23 fights, with the sole draw being against Ray Austin. His amateur career can be described as fantastic, and the fact that he's the heavyweight champion of the world speaks volumes about his professional career as well. I think he's a strong and dangerous opponent that should not be underestimated. His last two fights against Shannon Briggs and Evander Holyfield proved that."[19] Ibragimov's trainer Jeff Mayweather was confident that Ibragimov would be able to establish his rhythm and "press Klitschko to the corner".[20] The pre-fight build-up was marked with controversy after Ibragimov's manager Boris Grinberg insulted Klitschko during one of the interviews: "Sultan Ibragimov knocks out this Ukraine gay, motherf***er!". Grinberg later apologized to Klitschko.[21] The day before the bout, Ibragimov weighed in at 219 pounds (99 kg), his lightest since 2005,[22] while Klitschko's weight was 238 pounds (108 kg), the lightest since 1999.[23]

From the opening bell, both fighters fought tentatively, avoiding risks. Klitschko retreated onto the outside, fighting at a distance and remaining unattainable for Ibragimov who tried to establish his right jab but had his right hand constantly pushed down by Klitschko. By the end of the opening round, Klitschko became more active with his jab, while Ibragimov unsuccessfully tried to catch Wladimir with a series of right and left hooks. By the third round, Klitschko took control of the center of the ring, keeping Ibragimov at the end of his left jab and occasionally throwing right jabs as well.[24] In the fifth round, Ibragimov was caight with a straight right hand, but was not hurt. Most of Ibragimov's attempts to close the distance ended with him being tied up by Klitschko. In the second half of the fight, the situation did not change, with Ibragimov being kept at the distance with straight shots, while being only able to occasionally catch Klitschko with single shots to the body. Ibragimov's corner was almost silent from the sixth round onwards, unable to give their man any meaningful advice.[25] Klitschko's dominance became even more visible after he caught Ibragimov with a straight right in round nine, almost knocking him down. Ibragimov was caught again with a counter left hook in the at the end of the eleventh. The twelfth round saw Ibragimov unsuccessfully trying to catch Klitschko with overhand shots. Ultimately, the fight went the distance, with Ibragimov losing the fight by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 119–110, 117–111 and 118–110.[26][27][28]

Retirement

In February 2009 there were rumors about Ibragimov's retirement from boxing following his loss to Wladimir Klitschko,[29] which were later confirmed in July 2009.[30][31] Ibragimov remains one of only five heavyweight champions, alongside Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Riddick Bowe and Nicolai Valuev to have never suffered a stoppage defeat.

Personal life

Ibragimov is of Avar Dagestani descent, and is Muslim by faith.[32] His cousin, Timur Ibragimov, is also a former heavyweight professional boxer. However, while Sultan competed for Russia, Timur represented Uzbekistan.[33][34]

Professional boxing record

24 fights 22 wins 1 loss
By knockout 17 0
By decision 5 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Loss 22–1–1 Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko UD 12 23 Feb 2008 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost WBO heavyweight title;
For IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
23 Win 22–0–1 United States Evander Holyfield UD 12 13 Oct 2007 Russia Megasport Arena, Moscow, Russia Retained WBO heavyweight title
22 Win 21–0–1 United States Shannon Briggs UD 12 2 Jun 2007 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US Won WBO heavyweight title
21 Win 20–0–1 Mexico Javier Mora TKO 1 (10), 0:46 10 Mar 2007 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
20 Draw 19–0–1 United States Ray Austin SD 12 28 Jul 2006 United States Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US
19 Win 19–0 United States Lance Whitaker TKO 7 (12), 2:01 15 Dec 2005 United States Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
18 Win 18–0 Nigeria Friday Ahunanya TD 9 (12) 16 Sep 2005 United States The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Georgia, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title;
Unanimous TD after Ahunanya was cut from an accidental head clash
17 Win 17–0 United States Andy Sample TKO 1 (12), 2:47 24 Jun 2005 United States The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
16 Win 16–0 United States Zuri Lawrence TKO 11 (12), 0:32 22 Apr 2005 United States Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 United States Al Cole TKO 3 (12), 1:46 3 Mar 2005 United States The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 United States James Walton TKO 6 (12), 3:00 11 Dec 2004 United States Atlantic Oceana Hall, New York City, New York, US Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
13 Win 13–0 United States Najee Shaheed KO 3 (12), 2:45 16 Oct 2004 United States Ovation Club, Boynton Beach, Florida, US Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
12 Win 12–0 Ivory Coast Onebo Maxime TKO 5 (8), 2:13 28 Aug 2004 United States Ovation Club, Boynton Beach, Florida, US
11 Win 11–0 Russia Alexey Osokin UD 8 10 Mar 2004 Russia Crystal Casino, Moscow, Russia
10 Win 10–0 Belarus Piotr Sapun KO 1 (8) 29 Jan 2004 Russia Centr na Tulskoy, Moscow, Russia
9 Win 9–0 Armenia Sedrak Agagulyan TKO 1 (8) 12 Sep 2003 Ukraine Sports Palace Yunost, Donetsk, Ukraine
8 Win 8–0 United States Marcus McGee TKO 8 (8) 6 Jun 2003 Russia KSK "Express", Rostov-on-Don, Russia
7 Win 7–0 Brazil Carlos Barcelete KO 3 (6) 22 Apr 2003 Russia Casino Kamilla, Moscow, Russia
6 Win 6–0 United States Chad Butler UD 6 26 Mar 2003 United States Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, US
5 Win 5–0 United States Lincoln Luke RTD 2 (4), 3:00 20 Dec 2002 United States American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, US
4 Win 4–0 United States Clarence Goins TKO 1 (4), 1:36 6 Dec 2002 United States Palladium Athletic Village, Davie, Florida, US
3 Win 3–0 United States Leroy Hollis TKO 1 (4), 2:30 18 Oct 2002 United States Hard Rock Cafe, Orlando, Florida, US
2 Win 2–0 United States John Phillips TKO 1 (4), 1:26 7 Jun 2002 United States DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, Mississippi, US
1 Win 1–0 United States Tracy Williams KO 1 (4), 1:19 25 May 2002 United States Tennis Center, Delray Beach, Florida, US

References

  1. ^ "CNN.com - Felix Savon - Jun 8, 2004". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Sport & Note". www.sportenote.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Sultan Ibragimov vs Ray Austin". youtube.com. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Bout: Sultan Ibragimov vs Ray Austin". boxrec.com. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Compubox Stats: Sultan Ibragimov vs. Ray Austin". Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b "A Look at Ruslan Chagaev vs. Sultan Ibragimov". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Bout: Shannon Briggs vs Sultan Ibragimov". boxrec.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Professional boxing record: Sultan Ibragimov". boxrec.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  9. ^ Daily Telegraph, Issue No.47, 327 (Friday, 3 August 2007), 'Holyfield steps back into the ring', Article by Gareth A. Davies
  10. ^ "Holyfield replaces Chagaev as Ibragimov's opponent". Sports.espn.go.com. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Начались переговоры об объединительном бое между Ибрагимовым и Кличко". sports.ru. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Бой между Султаном Ибрагимовым и Владимиром Кличко может состояться в феврале". sports.ru. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  13. ^ "Владимир Кличко и Султан Ибрагимов подписали контракт на проведение объединительного боя". sports.ru. 20 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  14. ^ "В Москве прошла пресс-конференция Султана Ибрагимова и Владимира Кличко". sports.ru. 25 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  15. ^ "Владимир Кличко начал подготовку к бою против Ибрагимова". www.sports.ru/. 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  16. ^ "Ибрагимов вылетел из Москвы в США". www.sports.ru. 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  17. ^ "Дорогие билеты на бой Кличко уже распроданы". Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  18. ^ Ring (Ukrainian magazine) No.3, 2008, p.5
  19. ^ Ring (Ukrainian magazine) No.2, 2008, p.2
  20. ^ Ring (Ukrainian magazine) No.3, 2008, p.4
  21. ^ "Гринберг извинился перед Владимиром Кличко". sports.ru. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  22. ^ "Professional boxing record: Sultan Ibragimov". boxrec.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Professional boxing record: Wladimir Klitschko". boxrec.com. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  24. ^ Ring (Ukrainian magazine) No.3, 2008, p.6-7
  25. ^ Ring (Ukrainian magazine) No.3, 2008, p.7
  26. ^ "Владимир Кличко - Султан Ибрагимов 23-02-2008". Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  27. ^ Alexander Belenkyi. Властелины ринга. Бокс на въезде и выезде. Astrel. ISBN 978-5-9725-1978-1. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  28. ^ Alexander Belenkyi. Властелины ринга. Бокс на въезде и выезде. Astrel. ISBN 978-5-9725-1978-1. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  29. ^ "Sultan Ibragimov Retires". 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012.
  30. ^ "Former heavyweight champ Sultan Ibragimov retires". Sports.espn.go.com. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  31. ^ "Sultan Ibragimov retires - Boxing - Boxing News". Boxingnews24.com. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  32. ^ "Shannon Briggs Says Nyet". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  33. ^ [1]
  34. ^ "Exclusive interview with heavyweight boxing prospect Sultan Ibragimov". 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Kali Meehan 		WBO Asia Pacific
heavyweight champion
16 October 2004 – July 2006
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Ruslan Chagaev
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO heavyweight champion
2 June 2007 – 23 February 2008 		Succeeded by
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