COMPUBOX POST-FIGHT ANALYSIS

by CompuBox

The heavyweight title unification bout between WBO titlist Sultan Ibragimov and IBF king Wladimir Klitschko inspired a variety of descriptions, none particularly flattering. But those who prefer to look at things from an optimistic viewpoint can point out four aspects from which fans can find solace:

- Klitschko executed his fight plan better than Ibragimov and because of that he emerged victorious.

- The judges' scorecards (Don Ackerman 119-110, Steve Weisfeld 118-110 and Chuck Giampa 117-111) were reflective of the action inside the ropes.

- Two of the four major belts were unified and the sport is in the mood to facilitate further consolidation.

- The fight is over and there will be no rematch.

As bad as the fight was aesthetically, it was just as awful statistically. Here are some factoids that back up this contention:

- Klitschko was 148 of 348 overall, and while his 43 percent accuracy was admirable, his average output of 29 punches per round was not as it was 17 below the divisional average of 46. Conversely, Klitschko averaged 72 punches per round in his last outing against Lamon Brewster and the result was a sixth-round corner retirement.

- Ibragimov was even worse as he attempted just 318 punches, landing 97 of them, for 31 percent accuracy and an average output of 26.5 punches per round, nearly 20 under the norm.

- Ibragimov landed 16 jabs the entire fight for 12 percent accuracy and in only four rounds did he land more than one - the first, second and 12th when he landed three, and the 11th when he connected on two. They book-ended rounds four through 10 when the Russian went 5 for 79 (6 percent).

- Klitschko didn't land his first power punch until the fourth round and was just 3 of 15 over the first six rounds.

- Ibragimov managed double-digit connects overall in just four rounds - the sixth, eighth, 11th and 12th - all of which he registered 10 connects.

In the interest of fair play, Klitschko-Ibragimov also produced several positive statistics:

- Klitschko's jab enabled "Dr. Steelhammer" to dictate the terms of battle, both in terms of strategy and the distance at which they fought. Of Klitschko's 148 connects, 108 of them were jabs, and in eight consecutive rounds his connect percentage exceeded 40 percent. His best jabbing round was the second in which he went 10 of 16 (62 percent), which was immediately followed by his best round in terms of raw numbers (17 of 32 in the third round). In all Klitschko had four rounds in which he amassed double-digits in jab connects - the second, third, fourth and 12th.

- Ibragimov doubled Klitschko in power punches, going 81 of 179 to Klitschko's 40 of 103. He exceeded 40 percent accuracy in seven of the 12 rounds, with his best marksmanship coming in round 10 when he went 8 of 11 (73 percent) and his best production in terms of raw numbers occurring in the sixth when he went 10 of 18 (56 percent).

- The two fighters picked up the pace in the second half of the bout. Over the first six rounds, Klitschko was 63 of 135 (47 percent) and Ibragimov was 46 of 148 (31 percent), but in the second half Klitschko went 85 of 213 (40 percent) and Ibragimov 51 of 148 (35 percent).

- Each had his best offensive round in the final round, as Klitschko was 21 of 49 overall (43 percent) and Ibragimov was 10 of 27 (37 percent).

The biggest reason why Klitschko-Ibragimov was so disappointing was because each man's style neutralized his opponent's best assets. Klitschko's height and reach made it difficult for Ibragimov to work his way inside, where his shorter arms and knowledge of punching angles would have worked best. On the other hand, Ibragimov's southpaw style and defensive approach kept Klitschko from establishing his power game. While Klitschko landed his jab with regularity, he was unable to draw enough of a bead on Ibragimov to justify an all-out power surge.

Klitschko-Ibragimov won't go down in history was one of the great fights, but believe it or not it could have been worse. How? It could have been ruled a draw.