Ibragimov: Brittle Beltholders Belittle Heavyweight Division

HOLLYWOOD, FL, October 3 – Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson said it best when he called boxing a “hurt business”. But unfortunately for fight fans who once considered the heavyweight division to be the sport’s glamour division, the boxers who are supposed to represent the best of the class are too busy nursing various aches and pains to actually get into the ring and fight..

Not WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov, who is healthy, strong, and eager to get into the ring on October 13th to defend his title for the first time against Evander Holyfield. It’s a pleasant switch from what we’ve been seeing lately.

“Wladimir Klitschko, Oleg Maskaev, Ruslan Chagaev,” recited Ibragimov’s manager Boris Grinberg. “All supposedly hurt or sick and unable to fight. It’s a disgrace to boxing that these so-called champions have all come up lame when this is the time when they should be taking this sport to the next level by unifying the belts. At least we have Sultan Ibragimov, a true warrior, to represent this sport properly.”

Grinberg has particular ire for Chagaev, the WBA belt-holder who was supposed to face Ibragimov on October 13th, but who pulled out of the fight with a mystery ailment that has miraculously healed in time for him to resume training.

“I don’t even want to waste my breath on Chagaev, who disgraced his belt by pulling out of this fight,” said Grinberg.

Future Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield eagerly stepped in for Chagaev against the unbeaten Ibragimov, showing once again his warrior’s heart.

“Guys like Ibragimov and Holyfield are so rare in this game that it’s important to recognize them for what they bring to boxing,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “Night in and night out, they put aside the nicks and the aches and pains that all fighters experience, and they fight their hearts out.”

Ibragimov vs Holyfield, which is presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing, Golden Boy, Golden Grain Promotions, Main Events, Yuri Federov Sports Lab, Real Deal Promotions and Sampson Lewkowicz in association with Nafta Moskva and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be televised from Moscow, Russia via PAY-PER-VIEW for the suggested retail price of $34.95, check your cable or Satellite provider for listings.

Tickets for the October 13th card, priced from 300 to 75,000 rubles / $10 – $3,000 USD (with a limited number of VIP tickets available), may be ordered by calling +7 (495) 228-0418 or +7 (495) 643-1825, or by visiting www.ring-side.ru or www.hockey-palace.ru.

United States fans wishing to purchase tickets to this historic event, which will see Holyfield attempt to win a record fifth world heavyweight title by beating the conquering hometown hero, Ibragimov, may be purchased by calling Seminole Warriors Boxing at 954-985-1155.