johnmichael-bricHolyfield: Another Potential Title Run...
October 12th 2007 02:54
Evander Holyfield
In my opinion, "The Real Deal" still definitely has a chance to grab Ibragimov's title from his waist. Holyfield has regained some of his toughness and technical skill which was apparently diminished before his comeback. He still fights dirty and leads his head always to initiate some inside fighting which results in occasional head clashes. But his fighting style has been effective despite not fighting the top level opposition. His ring generalship and veteran knowledge of the sport may give him a chance to beat the champion from Russia.
But can he handle Ibragimov?
Certainly Ibragimov is not the one to be look down upon. He is just as big a Holyfield, meaning to say they are small compared to today's other Heavyweights, but he can hit hard and moves quick. He won the belt from a very sick Shannon Briggs last June and was almost KOd in the first round by his hulking but sick foe. He avoided Shannon's bombs and used combinations strategically to win in a UD. I still wasn't impressed since he fought an opponent who isn't 100%. He also had a questionable draw against Ray Austin. This was a guy he was supposed to beat but in my eyes, he was beaten to the punch by the slow 6'6" inch guy.
I really think Holyfield can still win if he uses his advantages to the fullest. Ibragimov may hit hard and move fast but he lacks boxing skills and his defense is not top notch. Evander can tie him up and unleash some combinations up close which he is good at. He can also take advantage of Ibragimov's poor footwork which sometimes makes the Russian champ clumsy. His heart has always been amazing as he never gives up and gives his all in his fights even today. He may have a problem if he gets old overnight and his old age form comes out like when he lost to James Toney 4 years ago.
If Holyfield wins, he will have another belt around his waist late in his career. I don't think he could beat the other better and bigger Heavyweights out there like Wladimir Klitschko, Shannon Briggs, Tony Thompson, Alexander Dmitrenko, etc. His promoters may arrange some fights with mid level opposition and avoid the bigger guys.
But honestly, I see his bout with Sultan Ibragimov a 50/50 but I'm leaning towards Holyfield because I want to see him become a champion before he leaves the sport of boxing permanently.
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