Holyfield fails in bid to win heavyweight title for fifth time

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The home favourite defended his WBO belt thanks to a unanimous points verdict in Moscow after a workmanlike display which extended his record to 22-0 with one draw.

Warriors: Evander Holyfield and Sultan Ibragimov went head to head with the Russian (right) ending up the winner

Holyfield (42-9 with two draws) had enjoyed previous spells as world champion after beating James 'Buster' Douglas in 1990, Mike Tyson in 1996, Michael Moorer in 1997 and John Ruiz in 2000.

If the 44-year-old had clinched victory at the Khodynka Arena he would have also become the second oldest heavyweight champion of all-time behind George Foreman.

It looked on the cards early on as Holyfield came out swinging only for Ibragimov to work his way back into the contest.

He looked the more composed fighter as the contest went on and moved well ahead on the judges' scorecards.

Holyfield did wobble the Russian in the final round with a big right-hander but it came too late.

Ibragimov's aim now is to unify the division with belts also held by Wladimir Klitschko (IBF and IBO), Ruslan Chagaev (WBA) and Oleg Maskaev (WBC).