Realistically, how many of you give Holyfield a decent chance vs Ibragimov?

[ChrisPontius]

I'm curious to hear now who gives Holyfield a decent (or better) chance to beat Ibragimov. Because usually it's the people who say "sure he'll beat the overrated Ibragimov" before the fight, to "well Holyfield was 46 and shot, he had no chance" after the fight, in the case that he loses. So be honest.

[BewareofDawg]

I might take cave and throw $500 down on him....still thinking.

[Raggamuffin]

I agree with the last poster
He has his shot bacause the competition isn't that good

[tragicliston]

Sultan is no great shakes but I don't see Holyfield beating him. That said, of the four current beltholders he's the only one I'd give Holy any chance of beating.

[lefthook31]

Holyfield has a very realistic chance of beating him. If Holy shows up in the same condition, and as sharp as he was against Savarese he will win.

[john b]

Like many people have said if the division was at its brilliant best or at least competitive then holyfield wouldn't have a chance.

[DamonD]

Ibragimov is such a questionable factor to me, he boxed the intelligent way against Briggs but without really impressing me. And the shaky performance against Austin (and Friday) remains a worry.

So even though I think Holyfield is greatly faded, I would have to give him a chance even if I couldn't say a decent one (as in, 50-50).

Ibragimov being a mobile southpaw is the biggest detriment to Holyfield. His closest fight of his comeback was against Oquendo, and Ibragimov is neither orthadox or as negative as Oquendo.

I give Holy about a 30-70 chance. I guess that's not enough to say 'decent', so I'll have to vote "no".

[buddynabuick]

I'm curious to hear now who gives Holyfield a decent (or better) chance to beat Ibragimov. Because usually it's the people who say "sure he'll beat the overrated Ibragimov" before the fight, to "well Holyfield was 46 and shot, he had no chance" after the fight, in the case that he loses. So be honest.



NO CHANCE:tired bUT I DO HOPE HE PULLS IT OFF:good

[Danny]

Holyfield has a very realistic chance of beating him. If Holy shows up in the same condition, and as sharp as he was against Savarese he will win.


I agree, although I do feel Ibragimov will show more resilience than Saverese. No disrespect to Savarese intended.

For a man who is nearly middle-aged, Holyfield must be given credit for always being in shape. A lot of younger fighters could learn a thing from Evander.

[VIP]

I don't know. Haven't seen Imragimov and Holyfield recent fights. But it will be cool and funny if he could pull it off.

[Brickhaus]

Holyfield has a decent chance, though I still favor Iggy. In a nutshell:

(a) Ibragamov's stamina sucks. It didn't come into play against Briggs, the human lawn statue, or Goofi, who's also fairly stationary, but you could see it in spades against Austin and Ahunanya. With all the moving, grabbing and butting Evander will be doing, I expect Sultan to get worn out in the later rounds, and the better conditioned Holyfield to win some rounds.

(b) Sultan has an average chin, at best, while Holyfield's is usually rock solid. After the years of battering, Holyfield's power is a shell of what it once was, but if Holyfield can work the body enough to open up Sultan's defense, he might have a chance at a knockdown or two.

(c) When Sultan does well, it tends to be because he can keep his foot on the outside from the southpaw stance against fighters who don't have much footwork. Holyfield is experienced enough and wily enough that he might be able to take away this advantage, and that he might be able to time Sultan with a left hook or uppercut when Sultan tries to step to the outside.

In my mind, Sultan's a top 15 HW while Holyfield's a top 25 HW. There's not a huge difference there. There are a lot of second-tier guys I'd pick to beat Sultan. Evander is in the third tier at this point in his career, but he's still close enough to Sultan in terms of ability that he could win enough rounds, even if the factors above don't come into play. Of course, there's also the chance that father time has caught up to Evander enough that he's not able to show any more than he did against Savarese, in which case Evander is probably in trouble.

[FlatNose]

Sure ,Commander Vander has a great chance against this slow, soft, mediocre Russian.Even a shell of a once really good fighter can wreck this cream puff.Holyfield is sure lucky that the heavyweight division is as barren as the Gobi desert.

[Grabonator]

Hoyfield has beaten guys much bigger and better than Ibragimov. Even though hes past his prime hes still goo enough to be the slight favorite against Ibragimov IMO.

[standing 8]

I voted he has a chance but only beacause I know nothing about the other guy . Holyfeild will probably get his ass kicked though :good He's been done for a long while !


I don't think that Holyfield will get his ass handed to him, if he losses this one it will be on points.

[Ambition_Def]

After what I saw in Ibragimov-Austin I would not be the least bit surprised if Holyfield pulled the upset.

[Guru_Too_You]

After what I saw in Ibragimov-Austin I would not be the least bit surprised if Holyfield pulled the upset.

Don't forget Friday Ahunya.

[ChampionsForever]

Wouldn't be suprised either way

[achillesthegreat]

It is Vander time.

[AJAX]

he will not win and will be retired by sultan once and for all, this isn't Rocky this is the real world and Holy hasn't beat anybody of note in a long time.

[brooklyn1550]

Yes, he has a very real shot at become the WBO champion. In fact, I predict him to get the job done. Since his comeback, he has been on a mission and he knows this is his last opportunity to reach his goal. He will leave it all in the ring and hopefully have his hands raised at the end.

[box03]

Iggy is nothing special, then again holyfield lost badly to Larry "THE LEGEND" Donald in 04. My money is on Iggy but it wouldnt suprise me if Holyfield won.

[Jennifer Love Hewitt]

I think Holyfield has a chance to win.

[Zakman]

Holyfield has a very realistic chance of beating him. If Holy shows up in the same condition, and as sharp as he was against Savarese he will win.
Agreed. And based on what I've seen, Ibragimov looks VERY beatable. Anybody that gets decked and loses a disputed decision to Ray Austin isn't all that good, in my book.

Holyfield by UD or mid rounds TKO

[The Kurgan]

A decent chance? Yes. Is he close to being a favourite in my book? No. But he does have a shot, because he's only a bit shot.

[andyZOR]

Agreed. And based on what I've seen, Ibragimov looks VERY beatable. Anybody that gets decked and loses a disputed decision to Ray Austin isn't all that good, in my book.

Holyfield by UD or mid rounds TKO

heh.... We both have reasonably the same style of Predictions.


My final prediection was Holy UD. And it stays. Its verry possible.

[joe the great]

Maybe a teene weenie chance. Still I pick Ibragimov.

[rodney]

This is a fight.
If we new the outcome , then why watch it.
Holifield may not be the once great Holifield.
Neverthless,
--- he has the experience
--- he still has very good skills
--- he is in fighting shape
Question:
--- What will Igbragimov bring to the table?
--- Will Holifield have the gas tank to fight hard for 12 ?
If he has the stamina, then I think Holifield wins easily.
I think we have a very competative fight.
This fight will sell.

[JAM Killer]

Holyfield stands no chance of beating any top contender or champion in the heavyweight division. Holyfield will lose. I want him to win though.

[T.S.]

I give Holy GOOD chance! I think he's got one good fight left in him and I'm not sold on Ibragimov's power. I thought he struggled with his draw against Austin (Wlad knocked Ray out with one hand tied behind his back in rnd2)
He whupped the class B fighter what's his name again? Then he beat Briggs who was waaaay over sold standing there like a sand bag telegraphing his punches the day before and gasping for air while slower than than the tin man without oil. If the judges are fair I can see Holy coming away with a win by SD!
I hope so anyway
GO HOLYFIELD!!!

[El Bombasto]

if ibrag is smart enough to box holyfield, then evan (even with headbutts and roids) has no chance.

if ibrag is dumb enough to trade or brawl, then 50-50

[RUSKULL]

Of course he has a decent chance to win, he's Evander Holyfield. I don't expect him to win but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he did. I'm kinda like 60 Ibragimov & 40 Holyfield.

[Dementia Pugulistica]

I voted for Holy to have a chance. Like a prior poster, I figure Holyfield has a 30/70 chance at winning the fight and to me that's a decent shot. If I was asked this question before the Savarese fight, I would have said "Holyfield doestn't stand a chance". It wasn't the fight so much, ( what does beating an old Savarese reall mean? ) but Holyfields increased mental clarity. It's kind of funny, but the thing that impressed me the most about Holyfield that night was his speech. I was really impressed with the way he spoke and made his points. Not at all the thick tonqued pugulist I have come to know. Holyfield is likely the best boxer Sultan has ever faced and I think this will be apparent on fight night.

[nrgetic]

Ibragimov is very open when he throws his left hand as he throws it from low to high – any good counter puncher will nail him, as soon as Ibragimov lands left his opponent should fire straight back. When Ibragimov gets tired his guard goes to shit. This means he better be training his arse off for this fight and getting the right technical advice. If he covers these bases then he wins, if not then Holyfield has some chance though not great