Is Wladimir Klitschko Overlooking Ibragimov?

By Jim Slattengren: In recent interviews, International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (49-3, 44 KOs) has seemed confident about his chances for victory over undefeated World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov (21-0, 17 KOs) in their February 23rd bout at Madison Square Garden. There’s nothing wrong with being confident on oneself, but when it moves beyond that into an area of a fighter appearing smug, which I seem to have noticed in Klitschko, than it’s a problem.

I’ve seen the look before on Klitschko, the self satisfied look, particularly before his blow-out losses to both Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. In each case, Wladimir came into the bout heavily favored by many boxing sportswriters, who thought that he would simply destroy his over-matched opponent. This belief seemed to carry over to Klitschko, for by the time the fight started, he looked like an imitation Ivan Drago as he walked out to mix it up with Brewster and Sanders.

This is why I’m predicting another loss by Wladimir, most likely by knockout. History, as most people know, tends to repeat itself, in particular when people fail to learn from their mistakes. I think with Wladimir, he’s wary of fighters if they’ve been hyped as a knockout threat to him, but if they’re considered by and large an easy victim for him, he seems to get a little cocky, maybe thinking that he is as good as people say he is.

I don’t think for one second that Wladimir is that good of a fighter, largely because of his history of knockout losses to marginal fighters. Sure, Ross Puritty, Brewster and Sanders can punch, but none of them are considered first class fighters. Yet, in each case, Klitschko came out looking like he wanted to knock them into the next stratosphere, but found himself as the victim of the knockout. Sure, he looked good for a number of rounds, especially against Purity and Brewster, but in the end he stretched out on the canvas.

Even if Wladimir was warned about being careful with Ibragimov ahead of time, I don’t see him paying attention to anyone, because he seems to have internalized his belief that victory will be his, no matter what Ibragimov brings to the ring on the 23rd. It’s a classic weakness of Klitschko, one that I don’t see him being able to prevent. Too many easy victories over soft opponents, like Ray Austin and the rematch with Brewster, has made him swell with too much pride in himself.