19.12.06 – By Matt Yanofsky: As we await the much anticipated James Toney/Samuel Peter rematch for the WBC number one contender spot, I started to think about something… Sultan Ibragimov battled Ray Austin in a fight to determine the number one contender to IBF Champion Wladimir Klitchko. The fight turned out to be a draw. Somehow, Ibragimov became the WBO’s number one contender and Austin became the IBF’s number one contender..
In my mind, this is a joke. I see no reason why Toney and Peter have to rematch, when a winner was picked in that fight. Sultan Ibragimov has been untested and Ray Austin is a journeyman heavyweight, who Ibragimov was expected to defeat easily. James Toney and Samuel Peter should have those number one contenders’ spots, not Austin and Ibragimov. James Toney is a four division world champion, who won a heavyweight title before being stripped of his belt because of a failed drug test. Samuel Peter managed to drop Wladimir Klitchko three times en route to losing a disputed unanimous decision to Klitchko on September 24, 2005.
Instead of seeing two potential blow outs with Klitchko vs. Austin and Briggs vs. Ibragimov, we could have had two great heavyweight fights. To make matters even worse, on the Kassim Ouma vs. Jermain Taylor telecast, Larry Merchant announced that the Klitchko vs. Austin fight will be televised on HBO in March. Merchant then proceeded to refer to the fight as a match up no one is interested in seeing.
Sultan Ibragimov will be fighting WBO Champion Shannon Briggs, either on the same telecast as Klitchko/Austin or in Atlantic City, on February 17th. This fight also figures to be a blow out, with the 270 pound Briggs expected to be too big and strong for the young and undersized Ibragimov.
This is what could have happened.
James Toney vs. Wladimir Klitchko for the IBF Title:
A very interesting match up between two different style fighters. Klitchko is much bigger and more powerful, while Toney is a faster and sounder defensive fighter. Klitchko’s great power is somewhat countered by Toney’s chin. Many feel that Toney was robbed of a victory in his first fight against Peter. Peter is recognized as one of the best power punchers in the division and was not able to drop Toney. I belive this would be a hard fight for fans to choose as both men have significant advantages.
Samuel Peter vs. Shannon Briggs for the WBO Title:
A true slugfest. Both men are incredible power punchers, who lack stamina. Briggs’ chin has been questioned. Peter also becomes frustrated when facing a faster fighter. Briggs has excellent speed and has the height and reach advantage, while Peter has a better chin. Here is another thought: both of their biggest career wins are highly disputed. Many feel George Foreman was robbed against Briggs, whereas 90% of the press row scoring the Toney-Peter fight for James Toney, is forcing a rematch. This would be a very exciting fight to watch and it would also have a split in opinions of the victor.
It is a shame that things did not work out this way. We will be forced to watch Briggs and Klitchko potentially destroy Austin and Ibragimov. And people wonder why the Heavyweight division has so many issues! The biggest problem is there are fights happening that no one is interested in seeing. Hopefully, there can be a change soon and I pray for a four man heavyweight tournament featuring all four champions so we can finally have one undisputed king of the division.