Klitschko should have edge in class

BOXING/World heavyweight title unification fight: The much-maligned heavyweight division will tonight have arguably its most meaningful title unification match since Lennox Lewis took on Evander Holyfield nine years ago when the International Boxing Federation champion, Wladimir Klitschko, and the World Boxing Organisation title holder, Sultan Ibragimov, meet in New York.

Klitschko's trainer, Emanuel Steward, said the two-metre tall Ukrainian is now the best heavyweight in the world and is ready to prove himself as the dominant force in the division, first by defeating Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden and then by chasing the other belt holders, the World Boxing Association's Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan and the Kazakh-born World Boxing Council's Oleg Maskaev.

Steward warned not to underestimate Ibragimov, however. "Ibragimov is not a big guy but he knows how to win big fights over big guys," said the 63-year-old, who coached Lewis. "He has good hand speed, explodes and moves away quickly. We are not taking him lightly. I think he will be the best fighter Wladimir has fought in his pro career . . . We know everything Ibragimov does, but you have to do that when you are at the top level. I think Ibragimov is a much bigger threat to Wladimir than I thought Holyfield was to Lennox Lewis."

Mobility will be a key to victory and Klitschko (31) weighed in at only 108kgs, the lightest he has been since he won the WBO title from Chris Byrd in 2000. Ibragimov (32) is smaller at 1.87 metres and weighed 100kgs.

Klitschko, who won Olympic super-heavyweight gold in 1996 in Atlanta, is the more experienced man. This will be Klitschko's 13th world title fight to Ibragimov's third. But the biggest doubt remains his ability to take a punch. Ibragimov, who won his title by out-pointing Shannon Briggs last year and beat Holyfield on points to retain the belt, is not a massive puncher but delivers his blows with speed and accuracy.

Ibragimov was good enough to win a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, beaten only by the Cuban Felix Savon, but the edge in class should lie with Klitschko, who has largely overcome the fragility that led him to lose three times in 52 fights. He has a fine jab and can deliver potent hooks and upper-cuts that might prove too much for the southpaw Ibragimov.

Ibragimov is unbeaten in 23 contests but was held to a draw by the American Ray Austin, who was subsequently blown away in two rounds by Klitschko. It is one compelling reason to suggest Klitschko will win by stoppage and take a significant step towards the undisputed title.

© 2008 Guardian Service

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times