The training camp of WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov is in full swing, and as the champ prepares for his February 23rd unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko in New York’s Madison Square Garden, the action at the South Florida gym affectionately referred to as “Sultan’s House” has been fast and furious, something trainer Jeff Mayweather has been very pleased with..

“Sultan came into this camp in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in, and he’s getting better and better by the day,” said Mayweather. “His speed for a heavyweight still amazes me, and I know Klitschko is not going to be able to handle it on fight night.”

With five weeks to go before the highly-anticipated clash, Ibragimov began sparring this week for the fight of his life, and he couldn’t be happier.

“I’m always excited when sparring starts because it lets me know the fight is getting closer,” said Ibragimov. “Jeff has brought in a great team to spar with me, and I’m ready to work harder and harder every day. I have not stopped thinking about this fight, and I can’t wait for February 23rd.”

As for making sure Ibragimov doesn’t peak too soon, Mayweather has everything down to a science.

“Sultan and I have a great working relationship and we’ve gotten in tune to what works and what doesn’t during camp,” said Mayweather. “Sultan will peak when he’s supposed to – on fight night – and while we’re leaving Florida with one belt, we’ll be coming back home with two.”

Klitschko vs Ibragimov, a 12 round heavyweight title unification bout, headlines a historic night of boxing presented by K2 Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

Ibragimov vs Klitschko: Sultan Named “Fighter Of The Year 2007” By Russian Boxing Federation

He was the heavyweight division’s most active world champion, fighting and winning three times; he started the year off with a first round knockout, then won the world title, and finished up with a win over a legend. Is it any wonder that the Russian Professional Boxing Federation named WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov its Fighter of The Year for 2007.?

“This is a great honor, especially coming from the Russian Professional Boxing Federation,” said Ibragimov from his training camp in Florida, where he is preparing for his February 23rd title unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko. “I worked very hard in 2007 and achieved one of my dreams by winning the world heavyweight title. I am doing everything in my power to surpass my achievements of 2007 in 2008, beginning with my fight with Klitschko next month.”

Born in Kaspiisk on March 8, 1975, Ibragimov was a late bloomer in the fight game, only picking up the sport at the fairly advanced age of 17. But anyone who saw him, even in those formative years, knew that he had the talent and determination to go far. A 2000 Olympic silver medalist for Russia, the 32-year old Ibragimov has mirrored his amateur success in the pro ranks, where he is unbeaten in 23 fights with one draw and 17 knockouts. In 2007, Ibragimov’s stellar campaign included a 46 second TKO of Javier Mora in March, a decisive win over Shannon Briggs in June which earned him the WBO Heavyweight Championship, and an October unanimous decision victory over future Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield.

Wladimir Klitschko Camp Notes – Klitschko-Ibragimov

• Wladimir has been in his Florida training camp now for 2 weeks, along with his Chef. Hall of fame trainer, Emanuel Steward, arrived this week.

• Klitschko has been enjoying the warm weather in Florida as his preparation heats up for the upcoming fight Feb 23..

• He was at the Hard Rock Casino last week with his opponent Sultan Ibragimov and was interviewed live on the ESPN2 broadcast.

• He is bringing in additional sparring partners next week as the sparring intensifies with 5 weeks of preparation remaining to the fight.

• This will be the first heavyweight unification fight since 1999 and Klitschko/Ibragimov has captured the interest and imagination of the NY fight fans with ticket selling at a brisk pace.

• Good seats are still available in all price categories, however, the top price tickets are becoming scarce.

Tickets are on sale now: $1,000 | $600 | $300 | $200 | $100

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