Sultan Ibragimov

Sultan Ibragimov
Султан Ибрагимов
Sultan Ibragimov; Султан Ибрагимов
Born	Sultan-Ahmed; Magomedsalihovich; Ibragimov; 8 March 1975 (age 49); Tlyarata, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Russian
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Reach	193 cm (76 in)
Stance	Southpaw
	Boxing record
Total fights	24
Wins	22
Wins by KO	17
Losses	1
Draws	1
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Russia
Olympic Games
European Championships
World Championships

Sultan-Ahmed Magomedsalihovich Ibragimov (Template:Lang-ru; born 8 March 1975)^[1] is a retired Russian professional boxer of Dagestani descent who competed from 2002 to 2008, and held the WBO heavyweight title from 2007 to 2008.^[2] As an amateur he won silver medals at the 2000 Olympics and 2000 European Championships, and bronze at the 2001 World Championships, all in the heavyweight division.

Ibragimov is one of six southpaws to become world heavyweight champion: the others being Michael Moorer, Corrie Sanders, Chris Byrd, Ruslan Chagaev, and Charles Martin.

Amateur career

Ibragimov took up boxing at the age of 17, when he came to Rostov-on-Don and joined a local college, training under a tutelage of Anatoly Chernyayev. Soon after he was spotted by the AIBA Vice President and Russia's top boxing official Ramazan Abacharayev, his compatriot from Dagestan, who became his trainer and mentor for a long time.

Ibragimov had over 130 fights as an amateur, competing in heavyweight, claiming 135 victories, and having at least 6 known losses (no stoppages.)

Highlights

Feliks Stamm Memorial (91 kg), Warsaw, Poland, September 1998:

1/4: Defeated Adam Roguszka (Poland) RSC 1
1/2: Defeated Vladimir Ganstatiuc (Moldova) on points, 7–2 (4 rds)
Finals: Lost to Wojciech Bartnik (Poland) on points, 5–6 (4 rds)

USA–Russia Duals (91 kg), Marquette, Michigan, November 1998:

Lost to Malik Scott (United States) on points, 6–11

USA–Russia Duals (91 kg), Mashantucket, Connecticut, November 1998:

Defeated DaVarryl Williamson (United States) on points, 21–16

Trofeo Italia (91 kg), Naples, Italy, March 1999:

1/4: Lost to Giacobbe Fragomeni (Italy) on points, 4–8 (4 rds)

USA–Russia Duals (91 kg), Mashantucket, Connecticut, April 1999:

Defeated DaVarryl Williamson (United States) RSC 3

Russian National Championships (91 kg), Chelyabinsk, Russia, June 1999

1/8: Defeated Vasiliy Kalinichenko by unanimous decision, 5–0
1/4: Defeated Yevgeniy Arkhipov by unanimous decision, 5–0
1/2: Defeated Sergey Lopatinskiy by unanimous decision, 5–0
Finals: Defeated Igor Kshinin by unanimous decision, 5–0

Black Sea Cup (91 kg), Sevastopol, Ukraine, October 1999:

1/4: Defeated Oleksandr Yatsenko (Ukraine) by split decision, 3–2
1/2: Defeated Stephen Reynolds (Ireland) RSC 1
Finals: Defeated Vladimir Chanturia (Georgia) by walkover

Summer Olympics (91 kg), Sydney, Australia, September 2000:

1/8: Defeated Pauga Laulau (Samoa) RSCO 4
1/4: Defeated Jackson Chanet (France) on points, 18–13 (4 rds)
1/2: Defeated Vladimir Chanturia (Georgia) on points, 19–14 (4 rds)
Finals: Lost to Félix Savón (Cuba) on points, 13–21 (4 rds) (Savón suffered a deep cut under his left eye)

European Championships (91 kg), Tampere, Finland, May 2000:

1/8: Defeated Primislav Dimovski (Macedonia) on points, 8–3 (4 rds)
1/4: Defeated Oleksandr Yatsenko (Ukraine) RET 3
1/2: Defeated Andreas Gustavsson (Sweden) on points, 10–3 (4 rds)
Finals: Lost to Jackson Chanet (France) DQ 4

Four Nations International Tournament (91 kg), Moscow, Russia, July 2000:

1/2: Defeated Oleksandr Yatsenko (Ukraine)
Finals: Defeated Timur Ibragimov (Uzbekistan) on points, 12–5

Strandzha Cup (91 kg), Plovdiv, Bulgaria, February 2001:

1/4: Defeated Nasser al-Shami (Syria) on points, 12–1
1/2: Defeated Roberto Cammarelle (Italy) RSCI 2
Finals: Defeated Felix Blazquez Barbero (Spain) by walkover

World Championships (91 kg), Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 2001:

1/16: Defeated Stephen Reynolds (Ireland) on points, RSCH 2
1/8: Defeated Edson Claas (Brazil) KO 2
1/4: Defeated Kubrat Pulev (Bulgaria) on points, 15–12 (4 rds)
1/2: Lost to Odlanier Solís (Cuba) on points, 13–23 (4 rds)

Professional career

Ibragimov turned professional and rose through the heavyweight ranks by knocking out journeymen Al Cole, Zuri Lawrence, Friday Ahunanya and Lance Whitaker. On 28 July 2007, Ibragimov's record improved to 19-0-1 when he fought to a draw with Ray Austin in a grueling 12 round IBF heavyweight title eliminator.

WBO heavyweight champion

Despite the draw against Ray Austin, Ibragimov received a title shot from another sanctioning organization, the WBO. He was scheduled to challenge Shannon Briggs for the WBO heavyweight title on 10 March 2007, but because Briggs became ill with pneumonia, Ibragimov instead faced Javier Mora at Madison Square Garden in New York on that date. Ibragimov knocked out Mora 46 seconds into the first round. This win broke the record for the quickest knockout in a main event bout in Madison Square Garden, which was previously held by Lee Savold who defeated Buddy Walker in 1948.

Ibragimov faced the heavy-handed WBO Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 2 June 2007. With an exception of an early and late pressure by Briggs in round one & twelve, rounds two to eleven were mostly controlled by Ibragimov, out-boxing his larger opponent with fast combinations.

On 13 October 2007, Sultan Ibragimov won his first title defense against the aging former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision^[3] for the WBO heavyweight title at Khodynka Arena in Moscow, Russia.^[4]

Ibragimov fought Wladimir Klitschko on 23 February 2008 at Madison Square Garden. This fight was a unification bout laying the two fighters' IBF, IBO, and WBO titles on the line. This was the only title unification since 1999 when Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield fought.

Unification bout against Wladimir Klitschko

He was defeated by Wladimir Klitschko by way of a unanimous decision. Ibragimov had his moments, but for the most part was unable to get past Klitschko's long jab and occasional straight right hand, he struggled to land any significant punches on his larger opponent.

Retirement

In February 2009 there were rumors about Ibragimov's retirement from boxing following his loss to Wladimir Klitschko,^[5] which were later confirmed in July 2009.^[6]^[7] Despite a largely undistinguished career, Ibragimov retired as one of only five heavyweight champions, along side Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Riddick Bowe and Nicolai Valuev to have never suffered a stoppage defeat.

Personal life

Ibragimov is of Avar Dagestani descent, and is Muslim by faith.^[8] His cousin, Timur Ibragimov, is also a former heavyweight professional boxer. However, while Sultan competed for Russia, Timur represented Uzbekistan.^[9]^[10]

Professional boxing record

24 fights	22 wins	1 loss
By knockout	17	0
By decision	5	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
24	Loss	22–1–1	Wladimir Klitschko	UD	12	23 Feb 2008	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Lost WBO heavyweight title; For IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
23	Win	22–0–1	Evander Holyfield	UD	12	13 Oct 2007	Megasport Arena, Moscow, Russia	Retained WBO heavyweight title
22	Win	21–0–1	Shannon Briggs	UD	12	2 Jun 2007	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Won WBO heavyweight title
21	Win	20–0–1	Javier Mora	TKO	1 (10), 0:46	10 Mar 2007	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
20	Draw	19–0–1	Ray Austin	SD	12	28 Jul 2006	Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US
19	Win	19–0	Lance Whitaker	TKO	7 (12), 2:01	15 Dec 2005	Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
18	Win	18–0	Friday Ahunanya	TD	9 (12)	16 Sep 2005	The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Georgia, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title; Unanimous TD after Ahunanya was cut from an accidental head clash
17	Win	17–0	Andy Sample	TKO	1 (12), 2:47	24 Jun 2005	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
16	Win	16–0	Zuri Lawrence	TKO	11 (12), 0:32	22 Apr 2005	Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
15	Win	15–0	Al Cole	TKO	3 (12), 1:46	3 Mar 2005	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
14	Win	14–0	James Walton	TKO	6 (12), 3:00	11 Dec 2004	Atlantic Oceana Hall, New York City, New York, US	Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
13	Win	13–0	Najee Shaheed	KO	3 (12), 2:45	16 Oct 2004	Ovation Club, Boynton Beach, Florida, US	Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
12	Win	12–0	Onebo Maxime	TKO	5 (8), 2:13	28 Aug 2004	Ovation Club, Boynton Beach, Florida, US
11	Win	11–0	Alexey Osokin	UD	8	10 Mar 2004	Crystal Casino, Moscow, Russia
10	Win	10–0	Piotr Sapun	KO	1 (8)	29 Jan 2004	Centr na Tulskoy, Moscow, Russia
9	Win	9–0	Sedrak Agagulyan	TKO	1 (8)	12 Sep 2003	Sports Palace Yunost, Donetsk, Ukraine
8	Win	8–0	Marcus McGee	TKO	8 (8)	6 Jun 2003	KSK "Express", Rostov-on-Don, Russia
7	Win	7–0	Carlos Barcelete	KO	3 (6)	22 Apr 2003	Casino Kamilla, Moscow, Russia
6	Win	6–0	Chad Butler	UD	6	26 Mar 2003	Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, US
5	Win	5–0	Lincoln Luke	RTD	2 (4), 3:00	20 Dec 2002	American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, US
4	Win	4–0	Clarence Goins	TKO	1 (4), 1:36	6 Dec 2002	Palladium Athletic Village, Davie, Florida, US
3	Win	3–0	Leroy Hollis	TKO	1 (4), 2:30	18 Oct 2002	Hard Rock Cafe, Orlando, Florida, US
2	Win	2–0	John Phillips	TKO	1 (4), 1:26	7 Jun 2002	DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, Mississippi, US
1	Win	1–0	Tracy Williams	KO	1 (4), 1:19	25 May 2002	Tennis Center, Delray Beach, Florida, US

References

^ "CNN.com - Felix Savon - Jun 8, 2004". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ "Sport & Note". www.sportenote.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
^ Daily Telegraph, Issue No.47, 327 (Friday, 3 August 2007), 'Holyfield steps back into the ring', Article by Gareth A. Davies
^ "Holyfield replaces Chagaev as Ibragimov's opponent". Sports.espn.go.com. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ "Sultan Ibragimov Retires". 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Former heavyweight champ Sultan Ibragimov retires". Sports.espn.go.com. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ "Sultan Ibragimov retires - Boxing - Boxing News". Boxingnews24.com. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ "Shannon Briggs Says Nyet". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
^ [1]
^ "Exclusive interview with heavyweight boxing prospect Sultan Ibragimov". 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Boxing record for Sultan Ibragimov from BoxRec (registration required)
Sultan Ibragimov profile at About.com
Holyfield to face Ibragimov for WBO title at Yahoo! Sports

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Kali Meehan	WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight champion 16 October 2004 – July 2006 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Ruslan Chagaev
World boxing titles
Preceded by Shannon Briggs	WBO heavyweight champion 2 June 2007 – 23 February 2008	Succeeded by Wladimir Klitschko

[1] "CNN.com - Felix Savon - Jun 8, 2004". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

[2] "Sport & Note". www.sportenote.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.

[3] Daily Telegraph, Issue No.47, 327 (Friday, 3 August 2007), 'Holyfield steps back into the ring', Article by Gareth A. Davies

[4] "Holyfield replaces Chagaev as Ibragimov's opponent". Sports.espn.go.com. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

[5] "Sultan Ibragimov Retires". 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[6] "Former heavyweight champ Sultan Ibragimov retires". Sports.espn.go.com. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

[7] "Sultan Ibragimov retires - Boxing - Boxing News". Boxingnews24.com. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

[8] "Shannon Briggs Says Nyet". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2016.

[9] [1]

[10] "Exclusive interview with heavyweight boxing prospect Sultan Ibragimov". 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[1]