ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AP):

The power in the heavyweight division is in Europe, with few if any Americans even in the running for title shots.

After Sultan Ibragimov routed Brooklyn's Shannon Briggs on Saturday night to win the WBO version of the heavyweight four-ring circus, all the belts belong to natives of former Soviet republics. Ibragimov would like to try to unify some of those titles, and his best bet would be to do so back home in Russia, or somewhere else in Europe.

"I am heavyweight champion," he said after consistently beating Briggs to the punch at Boardwalk Hall. "But there are other (championships) too."

Ibragimov, the 2000 Olympic silver medallist, is 19-1-0. He has quickness and a terrific left-hand lead punch. Well, he did against Briggs, at least, as the 35-year-old American nicknamed 'The Cannon' barely put up any opposition.

"I have been preparing for six months for this fight," said the 32-year-old Ibragimov who was supposed to meet Briggs on March 10.

And the title. If he wants tofight in the United States next, the best scenario for Ibragimov is to meet Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine, the IBF champ and generally considered the best of the heavyweight title holders. Only Klitschko of the other champions has much of a following in the States.

Kazakstan's Oleg Maskaev (WBC) and Ruslan Chageav of Uzbekistan (WBA) are the other heavyweight champions.