Chagaev-Ibragimov makes ESPN's top headlines

[Guru_Too_You]

You need no more evidence that HW's drive the success of boxing.

We need this unification for our sport to prosper. And for more to follow.

[Tanner]

Funny, I thought Iggy was going to fight Holyfield - Vlad for his title.

[Shotgun]

Credit Ibragimov and Chagaev for doing what needs to be done and getting a unification underway. Now let's hope that the winner will fight the Wlad-Brewster winner sometime early next year

[Lacyace]

Let me get this straight. The winner becomes heavyweight champion?

[vonBanditos]

This is fantastic news. I think that the very notion of these two unifying will force the other belt holders into taking part.

[jopez707]

Well, as long as the winner face W. Klitschko to further the unification I am all for it. This is a perfect first step though.

[Shotgun]

yes. ring magazine will have to crown a champ, i would think.

Ring won't crown a champ, because Wlad is their #1 ranked heavyweight and I believe that their rules state that they require a #1-#2 or #1-#3 matchup, or a complete unification, to crown a Ring champ in a given division

I think it would take a matchup of the Wlad-Brewster and Chagaev-IBragimov winners for them to crown a champion

[Zakman]

yes. ring magazine will have to crown a champ, i would think. these two guys have decent resumes alread(especially chaga), so a unifcation will propell them to "world champ" status.

Not exactly, unfortunately. Ring's rules, I believe, mandate that the number 1 contender must face either the #2 or #3 guy to win the title. That means the winner of this fight has to face Wlad.

This is a step in the right direction, no doubt. And the winner of this fight - which I think is likely to be Chagaev - will have a case to rival Wlad as the top dog, but it still will require that guy to fight him to really settle things.

[Danny Ocean]

tv better show it

[Relentless]

see, we dont need wlad to unify, don king wasn't the one stopping unifications it was waldo.

[Jose FM]

yes. ring magazine will have to crown a champ, i would think. these two guys have decent resumes alread(especially chaga), so a unifcation will propell them to "world champ" status.
No, cause Wlad is #1, and evidence that they wont is in the Super Middleweight Division, where Kessler has two belts but Stay at home Joe is the ring champ.

[Relentless]

who cares if wlad is ranked number 1 b a stupid magazine, true champions dont need a paper telling them.

[Tom_Tocca]

btw, German TV calls the date and might produce it...

[Motor City Sam]

Good to see a heavyweight story on ESPN.com's front page that isn't about Tommy Morrison's HIV status or Joe Mesi's brain injuries. As Guru said above, heavyweights drive boxing.

[geppy]

The WBC is going to be held up for quite awhile. There is 3 mandatory challengers waiting for a title shot which unacceptable and a violation of the WBC's own rules . Perhaps Wlad wil fight the winner of Chagaev vs Sultan though.

Why the WBC appointed the winner of Sam vs Mccall a shot, is unimaginable as both have been fighting poor opposition. It was fat and slow vs old slow, a real shit fight I read.

[IntentionalButt]

Sweeeeet.

Yes, this needs to happen, and, as much as nobody's willing to give enough credit to either guy yet, I think these are the two guys to do it. Two young, hungry guys with hustle, pop, skill, and world-class corners. If these guys just disavowed their goofy religion and they'd probably be my two favorite HWs. :yep

[Mrboogie23]

Hurray for unification!!


:happy :happy :happy :happy :happy :happy :happy

[Shotgun]

Why the WBC appointed the winner of Sam vs Mccall a shot, is unimaginable

Is Don King still promoting Oliver McCall? If so, there's your answer :yep

[El Bombasto]

Credit Ibragimov and Chagaev for doing what needs to be done and getting a unification underway. Now let's hope that the winner will fight the Wlad-Brewster winner sometime early next year

:yep