Boxing

Holyfield Goes for Five; Diaz - Diaz Previews

Somewhere on the other side of the world today, Evander Holyfield will attempt to capture his fifth title, as he takes on WBO Heavyweight champ Sultan Ibragimov. Somewhere on the outskirts of Chicago, Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz (no relation) will square off to unify two of the lightweight belts, and hopefully narrow the Diazes down to just two titlists in that division.

Holyfield, at 44 years of age, is attempting to become a five-time heavyweight champ, but if the oddsmakers are right, he will have to pull of quite an upset. At nearly a 4-1 underdog, Holyfield hasn’t had a good win since 2002, and certainly has his work cut out for him.

Realistically, Holyfield has no business fighting for the heavyweight title. He has won four consecutive meaningless fights at 44-years old, and prior to that had his boxing privileges revoked on a count of his deteriorated skills (though he says it was all an injury). There is no doubt he’s looked fit in his comeback, and at times impressive, but again — it’s been against no one of consequence.

Now, he must face a legitimate heavyweight fighter, on his home turf. Granted, Ibragimov is the weakest of the heavyweight titlists, but he is a legit titlist nonetheless. And he is about five levels above guys like Lou Savarese and Vinny Maddalone. He is also undefeated and 12 years younger than Evander.

Despite the physical advantages Ibragimov has, you must always fear a fighter like Holyfield. He has been in bigger fights than this, and against better fighters. He’s beaten Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes, and George Foreman. He’s been in the fight when a man parachuted into the ring and had half of his ear bitten off in another fight. The stage will not intimidate him.

Ibragimov is two fights removed from Friday Night Fights. He has the title, but this is as big of a stage as he’s ever been on. Holyfield might be old, but he’s a champion. He will fight until he dies, unfortunately, and Ibragimov must be prepared. Holyfield knows how to fight and has an iron chin. You must be ready to go 12 when you get in the ring with him.

Having said all that, Holyfield just isn’t what he used to be. He’s not even a shadow of what he was in 2001, and in 2001 he wasn’t even a shadow of what he was in 1993. Ibragimov most likely will never be what Holyfield was, but right now he’s better than Holyfield can ever be again. Evander swears he won’t retire until he unifies the heavyweight division, but for his sake and ours, lets hope he gets the message while he’s still lucid enough to comprehend that message.

I think Evander will come out fighting in this fight, but he’ll be in there with an opponent that can handle the pressure a little better than the last few he’s fought. Right now, Ibragimov is the better fighter. Holyfield will not be able to hurt him, and as the fight progresses, Ibragimov will likely prove to be in better shape (if only for the age). I expect Holyfield to make this fight exciting at times, but Ibragimov will assume control of the fight early on. Ibragimov will prove to have a huge edge in hand speed, and should be able to take anything Evander can throw at him. If Holyfield didn’t have such a great beard, I’d predict a knockout win for Ibragimov, but I’m just not confident he can take him out. Maybe a knockdown, but not a KO. But beware of a referee or corner stoppage, as Ibragimov might be able to tee off in the late rounds. Prediction: Ibragimov UD.

As for Diaz vs. Diaz, I think we have a solid matchup for a unification bout. Juan has two belts, Julio has one. Julio is probably the “better” fighter, meaning he is more textbook than Juan, and he’s also more experienced. But styles make fights, and Juan has a style that is just tough to beat.

Juan Diaz is like a (slightly) smaller version of Ricky Hatton in that he is always moving forward and can sucker anyone into his style fight. He will back up anyone, and I expect this fight to be no different. Julio will try to box him, but Juan will be simply too tough for him. Juan will continue to walk him down, frustrating him just the way he did Acelino Freitas. I don’t expect Julio to quit the way “Popo” did, but he will eventually succumb to the pressure. Prediction: Juan Diaz TKO 10.

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