Promises, promises, promises - the anticipated “Dr. Steelhammer” blitzing of outgunned southpaw Sultan Ibragimov never materialized - Klitschko easily claims the WBO trinket to go with his IBF-IBO straps in what could best be described as a mega-yawn provoker. 

We’ve all heard how ugly a pairing of lefty vs. righty can be - but when it gets the pre-fight exposure this one did - with shouts of it being first heavyweight unification since Lennox “Lummox” Lewis during his reign - we the fight fan deserved better. 

Only insomniacs watching at home via magic lantern may have been rewarded with a long awaited good night sleep - this one was that bad - insulting a better description.

Not a single round over twelve repetitive stanzas of tall-Wlad pawing with the left hand and short-Sultan pretending to go on the offense - and where, pray tell, good buddy Teddy Atlas, was the advantages in this one of the amateur pedigree we hear all too often about? 

No way can yours truly give an account of a fight that never took place - and there was a frustrated Manny Steward pleading, and finally between rounds 11 and 12 , shouting to his charge that a decision win won’t get it done. Stated loud and clear a knockout is a must. 

Manny, the best tutor in today’s game, was right on the money with emphatic reminder that Ibragimov has no business going the distance - but, alas, he does. 

My scribble had it Klitschko 119-110 in points and 10-1-1 under the round by round method. Official tallies went unanimous to Klitschko 119-110, 118-110, 117-111. 

Post Scripts: Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs good news for “Dr. Missinghammer” is he would still be betting favorite over remaining WBA-WBC strap holders Maskaev & Chagaev. Bad news, damaged credibility in safety-first posture while facing mediocrity.
                     Sultan Ibragimov (22-1-1, 18 KOs) has gotten mucho mileage over brief pro career - only under the today money grabbing alphabet system of splintered titles could the name Sultan surface as champion. Club fighter skills at best.  

Passing thoughts: Both big brother Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko could have benefited had they been able to connect with Manny Steward at young age. The Eastern European bloc was designed for the amateur game - thus, most fighters when turning pro once them walls came  tumbling down, would become short changed in the development department.

                              Hopefully, the media will take a second look after last night’s MSG  promotional flop-eroo - and better late than never, rid themselves of the albatross duo  Lennox-Lummox and Maxie Hysterian.
                              Maxie does post-fite in ring interview with Wlad, asks what happened  to the MIA knockout expectations - after first congratulating the big guy on the easy win.
                          
On that note a question - can Calzaghe-Hopkins light heavy battle for the “executioner“ Ring strap realistically help heal the damage done to last evening’s debacle?

Your call.

 

GEL  -