Holyfield beaten in Moscow

Evander Holyfield's bid to become the first man to win the world heavyweight title on five occasions ended in failure against Sultan Ibragimov.

Veteran American outpointed by WBO champion Ibragimov

Evander Holyfield's bid to become the first man to win the world heavyweight title on five occasions ended in failure against Sultan Ibragimov. WBO champion Ibragimov produced a workmanlike performance to earn a unanimous points verdict over Holyfield in Moscow on Saturday evening. Holyfield's previous spells as world champion began with with wins over James 'Buster' Douglas in 1990, Mike Tyson in 1996, Michael Moorer in 1997 and John Ruiz in 2000. A fifth title reign looked possible when the 44-year-old came out swinging and dominated the early stages against Ibragimov. But the unbeaten Russian worked his way back into the contest during the middle rounds and was well ahead on the judges scorecards by the time he wobbled Holyfield with a big right in the 12th Two judges scored the contest 117-111 and one 118-110 in favour of Ibragimov, whose aim now is to unify the division with belts also held by Wladimir Klitschko (IBF and IBO), Ruslan Chagaev (WBA) and Oleg Maskaev (WBC).