Holyfield could be in trouble

[lefthook31]

If Ibragimov can take his punches, he's just going to outwork Holyfield. Watching Holy train, hes just too slow now, and Sultan throws a lot of punches. Holy could be in trouble.

[mr. magoo]

He could very conceivably have problems in this matchup. He's fighting a much younger, undefeated challenger who like you say, stays busy during fights. Holyfield is at a junction in his life where every fight could be his last. If he wins a comfortable decision or knockout over Ibragimov, then I would give him the nod to continue. If he loses this fight or barely squeaks by, while sustaining a lot of shots, then he needs to han em' up.

[SteveO]

If Ibragimov can take his punches, he's just going to outwork Holyfield. Watching Holy train, hes just too slow now, and Sultan throws a lot of punches. Holy could be in trouble.

Where have you seen Holyfield train?

[Dorfmeister]

Yes, lefthook31, if Holyfield gets in trouble it would be due to the disparity in workrate which implies handspeed, mobility and stamina to keep it up for 12-3 minutes rounds. But there's a great saying in boxing that Timing can beat speed, it has been used for the "The World Awaits" event and it can be used now, not that Timing has a specific definition but it has a lot to do with experience and concentration, I don't see where Evander is disadvantaged in that department - I don't make predictions and will be here to take it but I would not be surprised if Iggy fails to win.

[mr. magoo]

Yes, lefthook31, if Holyfield gets in trouble it would be due to the disparity in workrate which implies handspeed, mobility and stamina to keep it up for 12-3 minutes rounds. But there's a great saying in boxing that Timing can beat speed, it has been used for the "The World Awaits" event and it can be used now, not that Timing has a specific definition but it has a lot to do with experience and concentration, I don't see where Evander is disadvantaged in that department - I don't make predictions and will be here to take it but I would not be surprised if Iggy fails to win.

Probably a good perspective of the situation. Holyfield certainly has grossly more experience that Sultan, and a work ethic that is matched by none. Although Ibragimov should be favored in this bout, I also would not be shocked if the real deal pulled it off.

[JETSKI]

Probably a good perspective of the situation. Holyfield certainly has grossly more experience that Sultan, and a work ethic that is matched by none. Although Ibragimov should be favored in this bout, I also would not be shocked if the real deal pulled it off.

Me neither. Holy isn't gonna go down easily. This is gonna be a tough fight for Sultan, who is no world beater, if you ask me.

Look for The new 5 time Champion Holyfield to defend against Golota in 2008!

How much is this PPV?:huh

[mr. magoo]

Me neither. Holy isn't gonna go down easily. This is gonna be a tough fight for Sultan, who is no world beater, if you ask me.

Look for The new 5 time Champion Holyfield to defend against Golota in 2008!

How much is this PPV?:huh

I don't know and frankly I'm not sure that I'd consider this PPV material. I'm going to be away this weekend so I probably will have to try and catch it another time.

[Loufatski]

I don't know and frankly I'm not sure that I'd consider this PPV material. I'm going to be away this weekend so I probably will have to try and catch it another time.

Dude, WTF are you talking about? If Sultan-Holy is PPV, then Golota-Holy woud be the best PPV in probably a decade.

[lefthook31]

Yes timing will be his only chance. Hes going to have to pick his spots and try and land something in between Sultans punches, but I dont see how Holy can keep up with a fast pace at this point, he looked really slow to me in Texas. Initially I picked Holyfield, but unless he can land something substantial, this could look like the Toney fight all over again.

[Dorfmeister]

Probably a good perspective of the situation. Holyfield certainly has grossly more experience that Sultan, and a work ethic that is matched by none. Although Ibragimov should be favored in this bout, I also would not be shocked if the real deal pulled it off.

I have seen some material from Ibragimov and I feel he is a bit sluggish but also has too much high class mobility for Evander. In fact, it is the mobility and the fact that he comes swinging fast and hard with volleys that has made it up for him in my view. The guy is not big, he doesn't have a sturdy chin and he keeps his hands down... But he keeps on moving from side to side quite fast so he can give his arms a rest and you can't jump in justlikethat cause he can counter snap you with curvy punches from downlow ( first knockdown vs Lance Withaker with the left hook out of the southpaw position and swinging from left hook to right hook in Austin's knockdown)... I feel that Evander has to move better and cutt off the ring so that he can apply steady pressure and definitely gat to beat him to the punch, maybe a left hook out of his jab can catch Iggy with his right lead low. Being first with the solid left jab and combination punching may impress the judges, Evander doesn't need necessarily to drop Iggy but he cannot afford to be dropped either and that is not out of the question... Intriguing, I don't remember a fighter Evander has fought with the awkward style of Ibragimov and at first I thought about Seamus McDonaugh, obviously dropped that case at this stage...

[mr. magoo]

Dude, WTF are you talking about? If Sultan-Holy is PPV, then Golota-Holy woud be the best PPV in probably a decade.

Sorry, but I don't consider this to be a PPV fight. It should be broadcasted on a regular cable network. The magnitude of it is simply not that big in my opinion. I also disagree with your claim that Golata-Holy would be the best PPV in a decade.

[marauder1999]

Sorry, but I don't consider this to be a PPV fight. It should be broadcasted on a regular cable network. The magnitude of it is simply not that big in my opinion. I also disagree with your claim that Golata-Holy would be the best PPV in a decade.

PPV has always been about name recognition. Theres name recognition and curiousity here.

[Dorfmeister]

Yes timing will be his only chance. Hes going to have to pick his spots and try and land something in between Sultans punches, but I dont see how Holy can keep up with a fast pace at this point, he looked really slow to me in Texas. Initially I picked Holyfield, but unless he can land something substantial, this could look like the Toney fight all over again.

Holyfield looked slow with body movement against Sweet Lou, more active with precise power punching at the get go with Vinnie Maddalone. Well, this version of Holyfield is more of a counter hooker like you have mentioned but you gat to be lightning fast to get your punches in between Sultan's whirlwind, sluggish hooking... I feel that steady pressure like the one against Fres could have the judges misleading into Evander's case round by round but Evander gat to keep it up and if the pace gets too fast early, his work may drop significantly at the end stretch... I don't feel Iggy will beat Vander to the punch systematically with counters such as Toney's but I also sense that if he has Evander tired, he will press him up against the ropes until the ref intervenes.

[geppy]

Are you just now figuring that out? Sultan isnt going to stand there and get hit easily like a Lose Savarese.

Sultan is working with Jeff Mayweather , he is going to be moving and using his handspeed. Boxing in and out with power punches, using foot speed.

[Thread Stealer]

No, it's usually the girls that Evander is spotted with that end up in trouble.

[Thread Stealer]

If Ibragimov can take his punches, he's just going to outwork Holyfield. Watching Holy train, hes just too slow now, and Sultan throws a lot of punches. Holy could be in trouble.

It's highly possible.

Holyfield looks good...for a 44 year old.

Holyfield has good workrate....for a 44 year old.

There's only so much he can do at this age. Holyfield has a ton of mileage on his body. Sooner or later he's going to take another dreadful beating or get dominated.

[TRUEBELIEVER 66]

I would be very surprised if Holy made it to the 8th he was never a hard hitter in his prime, and dosen't have the Punch to keep the Sultan off him, and he's fighting in his opponents backyard...
I see nothing but doom and morbidity in this fight for Holy..:tired

Sultan KO 7.......:deal

[JETSKI]

I would be very surprised if Holy made it to the 8th he was never a hard hitter in his prime, and dosen't have the Punch to keep the Sultan off him, and he's fighting in his opponents backyard...
I see nothing but doom and morbidity in this fight for Holy..:tired

Sultan KO 7.......:deal

Don't say it like its a bad thing.

[BoxingGuru]

Holyfield has NO chance in this fight and the fact that people think he does is why boxing is in the shape it is in today. All these morons who watch him beat up nobodies expect him to beat the champ and he hasn't even faced a top 10 guy in years.

[JETSKI]

Holyfield has NO chance in this fight and the fact that people think he does is why boxing is in the shape it is in today. All these morons who watch him beat up nobodies expect him to beat the champ and he hasn't even faced a top 10 guy in years.

You have a point, but who the hell has Ibragimov ever beaten?

Take a look at this shit list...

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

A bunch of nobodies & Shannon Briggs & we all found out how much he has left.

[BOGART]

Holyfield has almost no chance against Sultan. Not because Sultan is an all-time great or close to it, actually I think Sultan is a solid heavy at best and nothing more. The problem for Holyfield is obviously age. He won't be able to keep up with Sultan's workrate and Holy's reflexes just aren't the same anymore.

I guess Holyfield's best chance is to catch Sultan with something big off of a counter. I always thought Holy had better power than he has been given credit for during his career. I'm not sure what kind of chin Sultan has either, if I remember right he was dropped by Ray Austin, so Holy could land a home run punch somewhere, but I doubt it.

I think the question isn't will Sultan win but how he will win. Will he win by decision(most likely) or will Holyfield get stopped? I'd take Sultan by wide decision in a less than exciting affair.

[Dorfmeister]

Are you just now figuring that out? Sultan isnt going to stand there and get hit easily like a Lose Savarese.

Sultan is working with Jeff Mayweather , he is going to be moving and using his handspeed. Boxing in and out with power punches, using foot speed.

Geppy, I didn't know that and I am figuring it out now yeah. Lou tried to impose his physicallity on Evander and got caught on the fast counter, I know now that will never work with Sultan but Evander didn't get that Savarese fight to prepare himself for Ibragimov but for a 6'6'' tall Wlad instead... Holy will have to adapt but there are always two sides of the same coin - if Iggy is gonna stick and move, Evander will be favored as the aggressor since he's already backing up any way... Still, my and Holy's problem is to be first whether he has to reach out for a mobile target or to come out of his own defensive mode and I have hope that Evander can block, absorb and punch back with authority, my claim is legitimate ( not delusional) in the pugilistic sense.

[Cruiser1]

Geppy, I didn't know that and I am figuring it out now yeah. Lou tried to impose his physicallity on Evander and got caught on the fast counter, I know now that will never work with Sultan but Evander didn't get that Savarese fight to prepare himself for Ibragimov but for a 6'6'' tall Wlad instead... Holy will have to adapt but there are always two sides of the same coin - if Iggy is gonna stick and move, Evander will be favored as the aggressor since he's already backing up any way... Still, my and Holy's problem is to be first whether he has to reach out for a mobile target or to come out of his own defensive mode and I have hope that Evander can block, absorb and punch back with authority, my claim is legitimate ( not delusional) in the pugilistic sense.

Don't mind that guy geppy. He's got it out for Evander badly. The guy's just a nutcase and he's probably in his 60's cuz no self-respecting young person would have a name like Geppy.

[duckydps]

What station is going to have this fight and what time??

[lefthook31]

Thats where I see the huge differences. I see a young guy with average skills, and a big heart, throwing a lot of punches, against an old slow guy that tries to pick his spots and unless he lands something its going to be real tough fight for him after 4 or 5 rounds.

[lefthook31]

What station is going to have this fight and what time??

PPV, and Im not going to get it now.

[Dorfmeister]

Holyfield has NO chance in this fight and the fact that people think he does is why boxing is in the shape it is in today. All these morons who watch him beat up nobodies expect him to beat the champ and he hasn't even faced a top 10 guy in years.

I take this one as an offense, you have no right to label me or any other fella for watching Evander's fights and/or for our expectations. As far as I apprehended, Holyfield vs Savarese was a pretty entertaining fight and Klitschko vs Brewster II wasn't so leave your thoughts on other boxing observers to your self if you may be so kind. Holyfield was a number 8 top rated heavy for the WBC before he dropped to the status of not-rated for medical reasons when he agreed to fight Iggy ( WBC policies concerning the other entities), and if he didn't fight any other top rated hwt, he's fighting now, discuss the result later.

[Dorfmeister]

Don't mind that guy geppy. He's got it out for Evander badly. The guy's just a nutcase and he's probably in his 60's cuz no self-respecting young person would have a name like Geppy.

Thnx Cruiser, I don't know geppy and wish him well... Geppy's comment was obviously fair and not offensive at all so I have no argument against him other than his avatar ( with Holy in Lance Whitaker's body but that's alright, it's quite funny really)... Jean Marc is another hard work, disciplined, no-nonsense fighter in the same line as Holyfield and Cruiser receives my praise for that. The only silly remarks posted about Evander were by capsfund for some reason I ignore and don't want to know... Would love to discuss with Geppy until Sat nite of course.

[geppy]

Thnx Cruiser, I don't know geppy and wish him well... Geppy's comment was obviously fair and not offensive at all so I have no argument against him other than his avatar ( with Holy in Lance Whitaker's body but that's alright, it's quite funny really)... Jean Marc is another hard work, disciplined, no-nonsense fighter in the same line as Holyfield and Cruiser receives my praise for that. The only silly remarks posted about Evander were by capsfund for some reason I ignore and don't want to know... Would love to discuss with Geppy until Sat nite of course.

It is Holyfield's head on Bob Sapp's body. HTF am I a nutcase Cruiser? Because I dont think Sultan is going just stand there with his hands up ( Lou's only defense) , and get hit by punches like Lose Savarese. Sultan is going to box and move, and pick his power shots.

[geppy]

Don't mind that guy geppy. He's got it out for Evander badly. The guy's just a nutcase and he's probably in his 60's cuz no self-respecting young person would have a name like Geppy.

Geppy is short of my last name. I am no fucking 60 year old nutcase.

[Dorfmeister]

It is Holyfield's head on Bob Sapp's body. HTF am I a nutcase Cruiser? Because I dont think Sultan is going just stand there with his hands up ( Lou's only defense) , and get hit by punches like Lose Savarese. Sultan is going to box and move, and pick his power shots.

Okay, I apologize for Cruiser, forget about it geppy, he's all good... I really was impressed how Sultan was hammerin super-fast with both hands on Lance and how he switched from left to right and put Austin down with very light feet of his, but still and against the same Austin, he was caught by the left hook since he has a very low right guard, you don't think Vander can close him down and catch him on the corners and on the ropes, can he back-pedall as fast as he moves side to side? I am asking cause I didn't watch the Briggs fight.

[Cruiser1]

It is Holyfield's head on Bob Sapp's body. HTF am I a nutcase Cruiser? Because I dont think Sultan is going just stand there with his hands up ( Lou's only defense) , and get hit by punches like Lose Savarese. Sultan is going to box and move, and pick his power shots.

I'm not talking about your analysis of the fight. You're on this ridiculous crusade against Holyfield with the steroid use and it's uncalled for. It's one thing to make a joke about it here and there but to make an avatar like that and constantly bring it up and the "Evan Fields" name.

And the name Geppy makes u sound like ur posting from a retirement home. Geppy don't forget to put your teeth in.

[geppy]

I'm not talking about your analysis of the fight. You're on this ridiculous crusade against Holyfield with the steroid use and it's uncalled for. It's one thing to make a joke about it here and there but to make an avatar like that and constantly bring it up and the "Evan Fields" name.

And the name Geppy makes u sound like ur posting from a retirement home. Geppy don't forget to put your teeth in. Geppy we're playing bridge at 7. Don't be late. Jello at 8 Geppy.

Even ridicoulus WWE wrestlers get suspended and lose pay for using HGH now! How Holyfield gets a title shot and no trouble , that is amazing. You think it is ok to cheat using HGH , and steroids? It didnt help Shannon Briggs too much, we will see how Holyfield does. Maybe next Sultan should fight James Toney?

[Punisher33]

Even ridicoulus WWE wrestlers get suspended and lose pay for using HGH now! How Holyfield gets a title shot and no trouble , that is amazing. You think it is ok to cheat using HGH , and steroids? It didnt help Shannon Briggs too much, we will see how Holyfield does. Maybe next Sultan should fight James Toney? It looked like it helped Mccline last saturday night, theres a ton of athletes using it, just most of them dont get caught. Plus why do you want to go after someone whos been one of the biggest stars in boxing over the last 15 years, Holyfields got a real chance against Sultan, wasnt he the one that couldnt even beat Ray Austin a couple fights ago?

[geppy]

It looked like it helped Mccline last saturday night, theres a ton of athletes using it, just most of them dont get caught. Plus why do you want to go after someone whos been one of the biggest stars in boxing over the last 15 years, Holyfields got a real chance against Sultan, wasnt he the one that couldnt even beat Ray Austin a couple fights ago?

What about Holyfield being totally owned by Larry Donald? Acctually Larry Donald and Ray Austin had a draw, and equal level fighters.

Austin is really not that bad , he just caught early by a massive brutal puncher. Brock would of been knocked out just as quick if Klitschko would of been more aggressive. Like Austin, the first real time Brock felt Klitschkos power, he was out as well. I know Donald is pretty good , he is the same level as Austin.

[Punisher33]

What about Holyfield being totally owned by Larry Donald? Acctually Larry Donald and Ray Austin had a draw, and equal level fighters.

Austin is really not that bad , he just caught early by a massive brutal puncher. Brock would of been knocked out just as quick if Klitschko would of been more aggressive. Like Austin, the first real time Brock felt Klitschkos power, he was out as well. You just cant coumt Holyfield out, especially against the weakest of the 4 title holders. Its sad that you have a guy like Holyfield whos a shell of his former self, being able to compete against top opposition in the heavywieght division.

[geppy]

You just cant coumt Holyfield out, especially against the weakest of the 4 title holders. Its sad that you have a guy like Holyfield whos a shell of his former self, being able to compete against top opposition in the heavywieght division.

You call beating , Bates , Maddalone and Savarese competing against top HW opposition? LMFAO . Holyfield hasnt fought Sultan, so we will see how he competes against a top HW, when the fight happens.

He beat Oqueerdo by close decision, that was a pretty good win. But the guy fights scared and should just retire, he fights pathetic Oqueerdo .

[Punisher33]

You call beating , Bates , Maddalone and Savarese competing against top HW opposition? LMFAO . Holyfield hasnt fought Sultan, so we will see how he competes against a top HW, when the fight happens.

He beat Oqueerdo by close decision, that was a pretty good win. But the guy fights scared and should just retire, he fights pathetic Oqueerdo . Well Fres fought some tough guys and almost came away with victories against guys likes Tua and Bryd, if Holyfield does win I will be happy, it might actually help bring a little popularity to the dying heavywieght division.

[Dorfmeister]

I state once and for all: If Holyfield is untested against the flock of the best Eastern European Top heavies, then Sultan is untested against legit Top Class American Fighters... And please don't tell me he won a lopsided decision with Briggs, asthma patient Shannon was 260 pounds plus and coming off from pneumonia and even in the Liakhovich fight, he could barely move. Don't compare Zuri Lawrence, Javier Mora, Lance Whitaker or Ray Austin with Evander Holyfield, even a 44 year old Holyfield... B'sides, is Ibragimov gonna present himself to his homecrowd on the back foot? I doubt it, he may come out 21-1-1 (17 KOs) at the end and that still wouldn't be that bad!

[lefthook31]

I dont think anyone can say Ibragimov is anything special, but if I was training him, I would get him in shape to throw a lot of punches, and have him fight cautiously for the first four rounds, and then have him double and triple his punch output from round 4 on. By then Holyfield should be sucking air and moving at a snails pace, so Sultan should be able to outhustle him. Holy just looks miserably slow. Savarese is even slower than Holy. Holyfield just didnt get caught up in a wrestling match with Savarese and thats why he looked pretty good against him. Im rooting for Holyfield, I just dont see him winning a decision, unless Sultan clams up, which I doubt.

[Dorfmeister]

I dont think anyone can say Ibragimov is anything special, but if I was training him, I would get him in shape to throw a lot of punches, and have him fight cautiously for the first four rounds, and then have him double and triple his punch output from round 4 on. By then Holyfield should be sucking air and moving at a snails pace, so Sultan should be able to outhustle him. Holy just looks miserably slow. Savarese is even slower than Holy. Holyfield just didnt get caught up in a wrestling match with Savarese and thats why he looked pretty good against him. Im rooting for Holyfield, I just dont see him winning a decision, unless Sultan clams up, which I doubt.

Holyfield is no retard, if Jeff and Sultan start fighting cautious, Evander's not going for all or nothing at that stage, he'll also save his engine, do enough to win those rounds. What people are looking too much to is to their Birth Certificate but they are pro athletes and thus, they have to be in shape to go the full 12 at above average pace... Holy is athletically superior to Iggy, even at this point - the slowness that lefthook31 is talking about may be more apparent than real, he's going into his defining fight at this stage of his careeer so I doubt he won't be prepared to move and box, stay and punch, move again until the final bell... There is a lot of misperception around here and concerning this players.

[Dorfmeister]

By then Holyfield should be sucking air and moving at a snails pace, so Sultan should be able to outhustle him. Holy just looks miserably slow. Savarese is even slower than Holy.

Sultan Ibragimov in Final Presser : "I'm prepared for a tough fight with a legend. He is an extremely talented and supreme fighter. I saw three or four of his last fights. Everybody says he is too old to fight for the title, but it's not true. Against quality opponents he is in the tenth round as fresh and as strong as in the very beginning of a match. I want to say him thanks for an opportunity."

Either way, Sultan is so at ease and confident that he'll win ( in less than 72 hours and two sunsets away) and is praising a sure to be-vanquished opponent to make his win look better than it might be or there is a genuine sense of respect and truth transpiring in the worthy, respectful WBO champion's words...