#1 WBO heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov, disappointed at seeing his long-awaited title shot against Shannon Briggs postponed due to the champion's illness, minced no words when it came to the topic of the Brooklyn-born Briggs and the rest of the heavyweight division. "It seems that everything having to do with Briggs is attached to an excuse," said Ibragimov. "I don't understand why he just can't get in the ring and fight. We all get aches and pains and little sicknesses when we're preparing for a fight, but the real fighters fight through them. Unfortunately, it seems there aren't any real fighters left."

Heavyweights Ray Mercer, Dominick Guinn and Taurus Sykes were all named as fighters who turned down substantial paydays to face Ibragimov on March 10th at Madison Square Garden. The bout between Briggs and Ibragimov will be rescheduled. "The weather will be nicer so Briggs may show up to defend his title," said Ibragimov. "Unless he gets a sunstroke and has to pull out again."