Klitschko vs. Ibragimov unification fight set in MSG
International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Sultan Ibragimov, will partially unify the titles on February 23 2008 in Madison Square Garden. The fight will be the first step in attempting to fully unify the titles since Lennox Lewis fought Evander Holyfield back in 1999.
Wladimir Klitschko, 49-3 44 Ko’s and Sultan Ibragimov, 22-0-1 with 17 Ko’s will clash in a 12 round heavyweight title unification bout, this will be a historic night of boxing that is presented by K2 Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing.
“I’m very happy that after intensive negotiations we have finally reached a deal, I’m really looking forward to this unification bout. This is what boxing fans around the world want to see. Wladimir Klitschko said.
Sultan Ibragimov showed his class with his convincing victories over Shannon Briggs and Evander Holyfield. “Before I became champion, my goal was to win the title and unify it,” said Sultan Ibragimov. “But when I won the belt, I found no champion willing to fight me. I thank Klitschko for being a true champion and for fighting me. I know we will put on a great show for the fans in the New York and around the world.”
“We are excited to bring this historical fight to New York and Madison Square Garden,” stated Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “This will be the first heavyweight unification since Holyfield/Lewis in 1999 and it is fitting that it is in the arena with so much boxing history.”
In a division where champions have been known to shy away from dangerous challenges, credit must be given to Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov for stepping up and putting their belts on the line, not only for their own legacies, but for the good of boxing.
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1996 Olympic Gold medallist Wladimir Klitschko (49-3, 44 KOs) is one of the most talented heavyweights of this era, and his dominance has led him to 2 heavyweight world titles. After holding the WBO title from 2000 to 2003, the 31-year old Wladimir Klitschko also won the IBF title from Chris Byrd in 2006 and has made 3 title defenses with KO victories over Calvin Brock, Ray Austin and Lamon Brewster.
2000 Olympic Silver medallist Sultan Ibragimov (22-0-1, 17 KOs) is unbeaten in his five years as professional and impressed boxing aficionados with his fast hands, combination punching, and willingness to take on all comers. The 32-year old Sultan Ibragimov, a native of Dagestan, Russia, won the WBO Heavyweight Championship in June of 2007 with a dominant 12 round win over Shannon Briggs, and he has since defended his title with another clear cut victory in October over heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield.
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