Ibragimov defeats Holyfield, retain WBO title

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

MOSCOW (AFP) — The once-great Evander Holyfield failed here Saturday in his quest to regain a piece of the world heavyweight title, losing a unanimous decision to Russian Sultan Ibragimov who remains WBO world champion.

Holyfield, hoping to make history a week shy of his 45th birthday by reclaiming a world title for a record fifth time, was unable to inflict any real damage on his opponent before running out of gas himself.

The American however defied predictions he would be knocked out in the first few rounds by the Russian southpaw 13 years his younger, managing to hold his ground in the center of the ring and prevent his opponent from landing too many serious blows.

His defensive fighting was not enough though and the judges unanimously awarded the fight...