By Amy Green

 

Wladimir Klitschko single handedly won his 50th victory and wrested the WBO title from Sultan Ibragimov (22-1-1) in the first heavyweight title unification bout since 1999. It just took the entire twelve-rounds to get it done.

Rounds one through five Wlad was all jab, toying with his Russian opponent while keeping his right hand holstered, hinting at the possibility of better things to come as the fight progressed. Ibragimov was able to have a decent sixth-round and get past Klitschko’s guard but found himself out of range for the balance of the fight.

En route to a victory by jab, Klitschko received instructions from Emanuel Steward from the middle of the fight until between the eleventh and twelfth rounds to "step it up". My pre-fight prediction was for Wlad to win by early KO- "early" meaning the eighth or sooner, so I too, was imploring him to step it up- let that right hand go and offer Ibragimov powerful and nasty combinations instead of fighting such a calculated fight.

The ninth-round there seemed to be some hope of a stoppage when Ibragimov was in trouble along the ropes by some heavy handed work Klitschko finally got around to throwing.

 

Although the fight was a times punctuated by boos from fight goers, Klitschko dominated the fight from the opening bell, and Ibragimov who hasn’t shown much success with taller fighters, such as Ray Austin, did little to improve in this effort. His attempts to score to Klitschko on the inside were immediately frustrated by Klitschko’s never ending jab- he landed a reported 44% of 245 thrown.

 

Klitschko’s post fight remarks revealed he found Ibragimov a little difficult, but he was still pleased with the win and can look forward to staying a busy heavyweight with the possibilities of facing the Masakaev/Peter winner and the most likely American contender, Tony Thompson.

Klitschko certainly holds the most marquee appeal of all the heavyweights, since Lennox Lewis’ retirement. He is charming, attractive and generous- as was demonstrated by his $500,000 donation to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

 

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