Klitschko, Ibragimov in unification bout

NEW YORK – Wladimir Klitschko hopes his heavyweight title fight against Sultan Ibragimov will be a signature moment in boxing – and one that could raise over $2 million for charity.

IBF and IBO champion Klitschko of Ukraine and Russian WBO titlist Ibragimov are doing their part to add some clarity to boxing’s glamour division by putting up their crowns as a step towards establishing an undisputed champion. “This is a historic fight,” Klitschko told reporters about the February 23 match-up.”This sport deserves one heavyweight champion.I believe this puts us on the road to unification.”We have to get one heavyweight champion,” the 31-year-old added of a division that includes WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan, while Oleg Maskaev of Russia will fight Nigeria’s interim champion Samuel Peter for the WBC title in February.Klitschko’s brother Vitali is hoping for a crack at the winner of that fight.Klitschko, the 1996 Olympic champion who has a 49-3 professional record, added the fight would also be an opportunity to raise money for a Bronx community centre that is being funded by the US Laureus Foundation.Nampa-Reuters”This is a historic fight,” Klitschko told reporters about the February 23 match-up.”This sport deserves one heavyweight champion.I believe this puts us on the road to unification.”We have to get one heavyweight champion,” the 31-year-old added of a division that includes WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan, while Oleg Maskaev of Russia will fight Nigeria’s interim champion Samuel Peter for the WBC title in February.Klitschko’s brother Vitali is hoping for a crack at the winner of that fight.Klitschko, the 1996 Olympic champion who has a 49-3 professional record, added the fight would also be an opportunity to raise money for a Bronx community centre that is being funded by the US Laureus Foundation.Nampa-Reuters

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