Boxing | Holyfield loses by decision

MOSCOW — American Evander Holyfield's quest for a fifth heavyweight title ran into a roadblock Saturday: Sultan Ibragimov.

Ibragimov kept his WBO title with a unanimous decision over Holyfield, who turns 45 Friday and was trying to become the second-oldest heavyweight champion.

Fighting before a home crowd, Ibragimov (22-0-1) put on a slick display of counterpunching to defeat Holyfield (42-9-2). Fans at Khodynka Arena chanted "Sultan! Sultan!" near the end of the bout, with the fighters embracing at the final bell.

There were no knockdowns in the 12-round fight, which was scored 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111 by the judges.

"It was a great fight. He got the decision and I have to go back to the drawing board," Holyfield said after the 23rd title bout of his career. "He's a left-handed fighter, and moves a lot. I did the best that I could with the style that he had."

Ibragimov, a 32-year-old Russian, intends to try to unify a fractured division. The other heavyweight titles are held by Wladimir Klitschko (IBF), Ruslan Chagaev (WBA) and Samuel Peter (WBC).

Holyfield hasn't held a major title since 2001. In 13 bouts since mid-1999, he is 6-6-1.

George Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champ at 45 years, 300 days when he knocked out Michael Moorer to win the WBA and IBF titles in 1994.

Holyfield's license to fight in New York was suspended after he was outpointed by Larry Donald in 2004 for his third consecutive defeat.

But Holyfield underwent surgery on both shoulders and won four straight fights in 2006-07 in Texas to receive another chance when Chagaev withdrew after contracting hepatitis.

"The most important thing is, I showed improvement and adjustment," Holyfield said. "At the time when they did take my license, both my shoulders were injured. Today, they were no problem."

Holyfield needed a knockout as the last round started. But on the odd occasion he trapped Ibragimov on the ropes to throw left and right hooks, the Russian would tie him up in a clinch.

A round earlier, Holyfield slipped as he threw a haymaker, the referee ruling no knockdown. Ibragimov stayed out of trouble, dancing in and out to land a jab or two as Holyfield pursued him.

The fight began with both fighters feeling each other out, although Holyfield looked happy to tie up Ibragimov to offset his superior hand speed. It also appeared Holyfield accidentally butted Ibragimov's nose.