Sultan Ibragimov vs. Evander Holyfield

October 13, 2007

OUTCOME: Ibragimov by Decision

ANDY'S PICK: Ibragimov by Decision

THE BET:
8 units on Ibragimov by Decision at +100 

THE PAYOUT:
8 units

Wasn't it more than ten years ago that boxing experts and fans alike were calling for the retirement of Holyfield because of his bad heart and his advancing age?  Well here we are in the fall of 2007, twelve years after his near career ending loss to Riddick Bowe and more than ten years since the infamous Tyson ear-biting fiasco and 'The Real Deal' is somehow fighting again for the heavyweight title.  One could draw a parallel to George Foreman when he recaptured the heavyweight title from Michael Moorer at the age of 45 (which Holyfield will turn in one week).   However big George, unlike Evander was not decimated by a blown up middleweight James Toney and completely shutout by the 37 year-old journeyman Larry Donald.  In addition, in his last fight Foreman arguably beat a prime Shannon Briggs before riding off into the grill-making sunset.  Holyfield's only mildly impressive feat over the last few years has been a hard fought decision over the capable Fres Oquendo.  Despite looking great against washed up tomato cans like Vinny Madalone, Lou Savarese and Jeremy Bates, Holyfeid's carreer was officially over on November 13, 2004 at Madison Square garden the night he stepped into the ring with Larry Donald.

Sultan Ibragimov on the other hand is an intimidating force with an impressive resume.  In the past two and a half years he has handily beat Shannon Briggs, scored impressive knockouts over Lance Whitaker, Javier Mora, Zuri Lawrence and Al Cole and fought to a draw with the dangerous, Ray Austin (while he was battling stomach flu).  In a addition to power in both hands and solid boxing skills, Ibragimov possesses a very durable chin.  Only once was he knocked down in his professional career and that was when he was fighting sick against the 6'6" Austin.  I am actually a little scared for Evander in this fight.  He's too slow and he can't get off on punches anywhere near close to where he did even as recently as five years ago against Hasim Rahman.  His one inch height and reach advantage will do little and to make matters worse he will be in Moscow surrounded by 15,000+ boisterous and unfriendly Russians. The most he can accomplish Saturday night is to end on his feet which I think he will be able to do thanks to his unrivaled heart (the risk to betting a decision is that Holyfield's corner throws in the towel in the late rounds). 

I see almost every round going to Ibragimov with perhaps one or two exceptions as Holyfield will have minimal response to the methodical onslaught of the Russian southpaw.  Incidentally the last time Holyfield fought a southpaw was Chris Byrd and that wasn't very pretty.  The difference this time is that, unlike Byrd, Ibragimov hits hard and for that reason I expect a long and brutal night for the four-time heavyweight champion. I see the Russian using his underrated jab very effectively, which will set up big left hands, most of which Holyfield will not see coming.  As much as I'd love to see Evander become the first ever five-time Heavyweight champion I hope that he has the good sense to put a legendary career behind him and call it quits.  He's accomplished enough just by getting the title shot.  Like Barrera last week, 'The Real Deal' has nothing left to prove.  It will be very sad to to see him go but maybe even more disheartening to see him fight again.