Klitschko Takes Aim at Ibragimov and Unified Title

The much-maligned heavyweight division will tonight have arguably its most meaningful title unification match since Lennox Lewis took on Evander Holyfield nine years ago when the International Boxing Federation champion, Wladimir Klitschko, and the World Boxing Organization title holder, Sultan Ibragimov, meet in New York.

Klitschko's trainer, Emanuel Steward, said the 6ft 6½in Ukrainian is now the best heavyweight in the world and is ready to prove himself as the dominant force in the division, first by defeating Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden and then by chasing the other belt holders, the World Boxing Association's Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan and the Kazakh-born World Boxing Council's Oleg Maskaev.

Steward warned not to underestimate Ibragimov, however. "Ibragimov is not a big guy but he knows how to win big fights over big guys," said the 63-year-old, who coached Lewis for much of his career. "He has good hand speed, explodes and moves away quickly. We are not taking him lightly. I think he will be the best fighter Wladimir has fought in his pro career.

"Wlad has had to spend a lot of time working on his footwork. We know everything Ibragimov does, but you have to do that when you are at the top level. I think Ibragimov is a much bigger threat to Wladimir than I thought Holyfield was to Lennox Lewis."

Mobility will be a key to victory and Klitschko, 31, weighed in at only 17st, the lightest he has been since he won the WBO title from Chris Byrd in 2000. Ibragimov, 32, is smaller at 6ft 2in and weighed 15st 9lb. "I'm the lightest I've been but I feel strong and energetic," said Klitschko, the odds-on favorite. "The weight is a result of a lot of intensive training with smaller fighters."

Klitschko, who won Olympic super-heavyweight gold in 1996 in Atlanta, is the more experienced man. This will be his 13th world title fight to Ibragimov's third. But the biggest doubt remains his ability to take a punch. Ibragimov, who won his title by out-pointing Shannon Briggs last year and then beat Holyfield on points to retain the belt, is not a massive puncher but delivers his blows with a speed and accuracy that command respect.

Ibragimov was good enough to win a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, beaten only by the formidable Cuban Félix Savón, but the edge in class should lie with Klitschko, who has largely overcome the fragility that led him to lose three times in 52 fights. He has a fine jab and can deliver potent hooks and upper-cuts that might prove too much for the southpaw Ibragimov.

Ibragimov is unbeaten in 23 contests but was held to a draw by the 6ft 6in American Ray Austin, who was subsequently blown away in two rounds by Klitschko. It is one compelling reason to suggest Klitschko will win by stoppage and take a significant step towards the undisputed title.