By: Brad Marchetti
Evander Holyfield gets to continue his quest to regain the heavyweight title when he faces Russian Sultan Ibragimov. Holyfield is a late replacement for Ruslan Chagaev who pulled out due to illness and Evander is really only a top 15 contender who is lucky to have gotten this shot at the title.
Ibragimov is fresh off July 2nd unanimous decision win against hard hitting Shannon Briggs as a -160 favorite. Briggs was out of shape for the fight and Sultan took advantge by using his mobility to control the fight from the outside occasionally darting in to land his straight left to build points in what was a boring fight. Holyfield looked rejuvinated in his last fight when he showed some skills of old by dropping Italian brawler Lou Savarese twice en route to a unanimous decision as a huge -700 odds favorite in a thrilling bout.
Internet sportsbook SBG Global has posted boxing odds on the Ibragimov vs Holyfield 12 Round Heavyweight Fight being held at the Khodynka Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia on PPV at 01:15 PM EST:
Sultan Ibragimov: -450
Evander Holyfield: +325
For Ibragimov this will be the stiffest test of his pro career as he has yet to be challenged by a fighter of Holyfield’s caliber. Yet depite the step up in class Ibragimov is 13 years younger and he is the undefeated champ. Will Ibragimov be overconfident that he can walk right through an aged Holyfield? From the opening bell Ibragimov can expect Evander to be right in his kitchen winging hard shots as he always does but can he take Holyfield’s best shots? Sultan hasn’t been tagged the way he probably will be against the “Real Deal” and it remains to be seen if he will be able to withstand the old man’s power.
Holyfield can still punch but will he be able to throw enough punches to land some of his heavy blows? Evander will need to throw 50+ punches per round to maintain a pace that is disruptive to the Russian. The key for Ibragimov to win will to use his quicker reflexes and youth to outwork Holyfield from the outside. One advantage the champ has is that the bout is in Russia so the judging should be to Ibragimov’s liking if the fight is close.
For Ibragimov this will be the stiffest test of his pro career as he has yet to be challenged by a fighter of Holyfield’s caliber. Yet depite the step up in class Ibragimov is 13 years younger and he is the undefeated champ. Will Ibragimov be overconfident that he can walk right through an aged Holyfield? From the opening bell Ibragimov can expect Evander to be right in his kitchen winging hard shots as he always does but can he take Holyfield’s best shots? Sultan hasn’t been tagged the way he probably will be against the “Real Deal” and it remains to be seen if he will be able to withstand the old man’s power.
Holyfield can still punch but will he be able to throw enough punches to land some of his heavy blows? Evander will need to throw 50+ punches per round to maintain a pace that is disruptive to the Russian. The key for Ibragimov to win will to use his quicker reflexes and youth to outwork Holyfield from the outside. One advantage the champ has is that the bout is in Russia so the judging should be to Ibragimov’s liking if the fight is close.
Can Holyfield turn back the clock for one more great performance? Is Ibragaimov going to send Holyfield into the pasture once and for all? Point-Spreads.com Fight Expert Brad Marchetti has a strong opinion on the Sultan Ibragimov vs Holyfield Heavyweight Fight.