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Ibragimov Readies for Austin
HOLLYWOOD, FL, July 20 – For many European fighters, boxing is simply a
sport, a competitive contest between two athletes, and nothing more.
Unbeaten heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov doesn’t subscribe to
that school of thought. For him, boxing is his life – it’s what has
allowed him to rise from the streets of Russia and be one victory away
from fighting for the sport’s most prestigious prize, the world
heavyweight championship.
So don’t expect him to go away quietly if things aren’t going his way in
the ring, chalk it up to a bad night and move on. Ibragimov is a
fighter, and he will fight with every last ounce of his strength and
will to be victorious. It’s something that separates him from his peers
in the fight game.
“People talk about my size, saying I’m too small to fight the giants,”
said the 6-2, 220 pound Ibragimov. “But my heart is bigger than all of
them combined and I will not stop until I am heavyweight champion of the
world.”
Born in Tlyarata, Dagestan in Russia, Ibragimov was always one of the
toughest and strongest children in his neighborhood, and he gravitated
to wrestling early on. But by the age of 14, he was bitten by the boxing
bug and began a lifelong quest to become the world heavyweight champion.
In 2000, Ibragimov won an Olympic Silver medal for Russia, losing only
to Cuban legend Felix Savon via decision, and he then entered the pro
ranks two years later.
Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of fights, knockouts, and impressive
victories. Ibragimov’s record stands at 19 wins without a loss, with 16
KOs, and on Friday, July 28, he will look to make it 20-0 when he faces
tough veteran Ray Austin in a 12 round IBF championship eliminator. The
winner gets a shot at current champion Wladimir Klitschko.
“I’m not thinking about Klitschko now,” said Ibragimov. “Ray Austin is
the one man standing in my way, and until I remove him on July 28,
nothing else matters.”
To prepare for Austin, Ibragimov has been putting in long hours in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida’s Contender’s Gym, sparring with the likes of Al
Cole, Corey Sanders, and Przemyshlaw Saleta. It’s a long way from home
for Ibragimov, but the work is no less grueling.
“Nothing good comes without hard work,” said the 31-year old southpaw.
“Some of the fighters in this division think they can just show up and
win. They can’t – not against me at least. I will outwork anyone I
fight, in and out of the ring.”
It’s the philosophy that the greats have had, and one that Sultan
Ibragimov lives by. He’s not flashy, he doesn’t talk trash, and he’s as
quiet outside the ring as he is aggressive inside of it.
But one thing’s for sure…on July 28, people will know who Sultan
Ibragimov is.
Ibragimov-Austin, part of a hard-hitting night of boxing presented by
Warriors Boxing Promotions, Golden Grain Promotions, Sampson Lewkowicz
in association with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, will be televised
live on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $100, and $150, are available by calling
954.523.3309 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. |
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