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07/30/2006 Archived Entry: "Ibragimov, Austin Duel to a Draw; Let's See a Rematch!"
Ibragimov, Austin Duel to a Draw; Let's See a Rematch!
By Laz Izada
Sultan Ibragimov poses for the camera following his bout vs. Ray Austin (Photo by Dalia Duran)
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - A full house of approximately 5,000 fans showed up Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Arena to witness Warrior’s Boxing biggest night of boxing in their three year existence. ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights was in the house along with Russian Television transmitting live to Eastern Europe.
What was all the attention about? The main-event of course, an IBF eliminator for the # 1 ranking between Russia’s Sultan "The Russian Bomber" Ibragimov (19-0-1,17KO’S) versus Cleveland’s Ray "The Rainman" Austin (24-3-4,16KO’S). The winner was to take on IBF Champion Wladimir Klitscho.
Austin, ranked # 2 by the IBF, was the big underdog as Ibragimov, ranked # 5 by the IBF, was coming in undefeated and fighting in his adopted home turf of South Florida. Ibragimov, a silver medalist in the 2000 Olympics, was also favorite because in his last bout this past December, he TKO'd big man (6’8”) Lance Whitaker.
Austin is 6’6” in height. Even though both fighters turned pro at 27, Sultan had the edge due to his superior amateur experience. Austin turned pro without any amateur experience. All this said, you would figure Austin would be another TKO victim for Ibragimov but that was not the case.
Austin, who defeated Owen Beck last year and had scored draws against Larry Donald and Lance Whitaker came in with new trainer Jeff Mayweather ready for battle.
Throughout, Austin was able to keep Ibagimov at a distance. Sultan was not able to get on the inside, so he had to rely on an opening that he found in the 4th round that knocked Austin down with a strong right.
Starting to measure Ibragimov in the 2nd, Austin caught and floored Ibragimov with a strong left hook in the 10th round.
Ray Austin
(Photo by Laz Izada)
I had the fight a draw going into the 12th round. Then, in the 12th, Sultan landed more punches and was more active. So as a judge I would have given him the fight.
However, as a fight fan I’ll admit I was rooting for Austin the underdog. I felt that if Austin would have poured in on after he knocked Sultan down in the 10th he could have won.
Anyways it was a very exciting tactical fight, a HBO caliber fight on ESPN. Final scores were 114-112 Austin, 115-111 Ibragimov, and 113-113. Let’s hope that they do it again soon.
The undercard of Klitscho-Briggs November 11th would be ideal. A USA-RUSSIA DOUBLE BILL at the Garden in New York City would have all fight fans from around the world at the edge of their seats. I know I’m dreaming but sometimes dreams do come true.
In the co-main event Colombian Samuel Miller (15-0, 12 KO’S) defeated Jason Naugler from Canada (15-6-1, 10 KO’S). Both fighters were appearing live for the first time on ESPN television so they were out to impress and that they did. It was a slugfest for 8 rounds with Miller getting the best out of the forward coming Naugler. Final scores were a unanimous decision 79-72 X2 and 78-73 for Miller.
After the match Miller, his trainer Samuel Gomez and his manager Marcus Maldonado told me that Miller should be in action again in September. Miller wanted to dedicate the victory “with much warmth to his home town of Arboletes, Colombia and his son Samuel back home” as he is now based out of California. Gomez, his trainer, mentioned that they are working on Samuel’s jab, combo and conditioning to go 10 or 12 rounds. He already “has knockout power he just need all the right tools, and a championship fight is our goal,” Gomez added. Look for Miller to keep improving and giving fight fans an entertaining show like he did tonight.
Till next time at the Seminole Hard Rock Arena in Hollywood, Fl this was Laz Izada for the Cyber Boxing Zone.
