Sultan Ibragimov
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Olympic medal record | |||
---|---|---|---|
Men's Boxing | |||
Silver | 2000 | Heavyweight |
Sultan Ibragimov is a Russian heavyweight boxer of Dagestani descent, as of April 23, 2006, ranked #3 in the WBO Heavyweight rankings, #5 in the IBF and #9 in the WBA. He is trained by Panama Lewis.
Sultan's cousin, Timur Ibragimov (often spelled in the West as "Timor"), is also a heavyweight boxer, representing Uzbekistan, but currently residing in Florida, USA. The Ibragimov cousins are part of the trend that has seen the great impact of heavyweights from the former Soviet Union on the world boxing scene. As of April 23, 2006, three of the four recognized world heavyweight titles were held by athletes from the former Soviet Union: Vladimir Klitschko (IBF), Nikolai Valuev (WBA) and Sergei Lyakhovich (WBO). This trend has led many to believe that the historic dominance of Americans as Heavyweight Champions has come to an end, and may have started as early as 1999, when Briton Lennox Lewis won the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship by defeating American Evander Holyfield.
Ibragimov cousins, Ruslan Chagaev, Alexander Povetkin and Denis Boytsov - all undefeated - are considered a second wave of USSR boxers advancing and challenging former US dominance in the professional heavyweight division.
On June 24, 2006, however, Timur Ibragimov was disposed from the aforementioned undefeated squad, losing a lackluster decision to Calvin Brock. The 38° heat in Las Vegas may not have served a good excuse for a slow fight, missing action, as Timur had been brought up in Termez, the hottest spot in the former Soviet Union.
On July 28th, his record changed to 17-0-1 when he fought to a draw with Ray Austin in a grueling 12 round match.