[Gotham Dark Knight]

Round by round: Klitschko v Ibragimov,"Telegraph newspaper online

ROUND ONE: Both men very cagey, Ibragimov crouched stance, awkward, leaning back, Klitschko upright, fighting behind a ramrod jab. Klitschko wins the round with series of jabs, but hammers down his opponent's right hand every time he pushes it out. Klitschko 10 Ibragimov 9.

ROUND TWO: Repeat of round one. Very cagey. Very slow game of chess. Ibragimov kept on the outside by Klitschko jab. 10/9

ROUND THREE: Jab, jab, jab, from Klitschko; Ibragimov lands two shots to the body, but can only lunge in on the huge Ukrainian, and try to fire shots. Klitschko jab scoring steadily, and with regularity, but not attempting to use his right hand. Klitschko's jab is so much his major weapon, if this were any other fighter, there would suspicion that he was carrying an injury to the right hand. 10/9

ROUND FOUR: Finally, in the tenth minute of the fight, Klitschko throws his first, powerful right hand. It looks dangerous. Ibragimov rocked. Yet Klitschko returns to jabbing. 10/9

ROUND FIVE: Klitschko now using the right hand more, and Ibragimov moves closer, but gets caught. Little success for Ibragimov, who is being made to look like a journeyman. 10/9

ROUND SIX: Ibragimov finally has some success, winning the round by getting inside more, landing body shots, and occasional glancing head blow. Does enough to win his first round. 9/10

ROUND SEVEN: Crowd begin to boo towards the end of the round due to slow game of chess. Klitschko knows he is winning the fight easily with his ramrod jab, and does not want to expose himself by throwing big right hands. Little action, worst round of a very dull fight. Drawn round. 10/10

ROUND EIGHT: The crowd reaction has forced the pace. Three damaging right hands from Klitschko, still also jabbing with regularity and plodding forwards. Ibragimov falls to the canvas, but it is ruled a slip. Ibragimov throws several overhand rights, but to little effect. 10/9

ROUND NINE: Finally, Klitschko unleashes a devastating four punch combination, Ibragimov sits down on the ropes - technically a knockdown - but referee fails to judge it as such. Ibragimov counters well and Klitschko is content to sit back again. Most action in the fight. 10/9

ROUND 10: Ibragimov floors Klitschko not with a punch, but a judo-like throw. Fight getting scrappy as Ibragimov throws caution to the wind. He has some success, doing just enough on the inside to nick the round. But this tactic has come far too late. 9/10

ROUND 11: Boos from frustrated crowd increase. Ibragimov, desperate, getting in close, but Klitschko still jabbing successfully and holding the smaller man at bay, Klitschko rocks Ibragimov with a right hand on the bell. 10/9

ROUND 12: Klitschko reverts to type and jabs his way to a final round victory. Ibragimov throws wild overarm punches in desperation – to little effect. With 30 seconds to go the Garden is filled with catcalls and whistles. 10/9

Overall, Klitschko landed around 130 jabs in the fight, and 30 power punches. Ibragimov landed 30 jabs and 5 power punches. A one-sided, slow unification of the IBF and WBO belts.

My card: 118-111. Judges cards: Don Ackerman 119-110, Chuck Giampa 117-111, Steve Weisfeld 118-110.


***I like the big guy, but jabbing your way to the title does not a great fight make***

[EmpireWF]

I did not see the whole fight, only brief highlights. Certainly did not appear to be an exciting fight?

Would anyone say Klitschko is the legit top heavyweight? Or is he the best of an average crop?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I did not see the whole fight, only brief highlights. Certainly did not appear to be an exciting fight?

Would anyone say Klitschko is the legit top heavyweight? Or is he the best of an average crop?

both...I mean he has had 10 wins in title fights and a 1996 gold medal in the Olympics...having said that, who has he fought really?