HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA (TICKER) -- The "Real Deal" has the opportunity he was looking for. Evander Holyfield will face Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO heavyweight title at Khodynka Arena in Moscow on October 13.
The chance for Holyfield to win a heavyweight title for the fifth time in his Hall of Fame career came when WBA heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev pulled out of the bout against Ibragimov for undisclosed reasons.
"This is the first step on my quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and I'm glad Sultan Ibragimov was willing to step up and give me a shot," Holyfield said. "I'm looking forward to fighting in Moscow for the first time and winning my fifth heavyweight title there."
Not nearly the fighter he used to be when he defeated the likes of Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes among others, the 44-year-old Holyfield (42-8-2, 27 KOs) has won his last four bouts. He won a unanimous decision over Lou Savarese in his last fight on June 30.
Holyfield's winning streak has come on the heels of losing a unanimous decision to Larry Donald in New York in 2004. In August 2005, the New York Daily News reported that the New York State Athletic Commission had banned Holyfield from boxing in New York due to "diminishing skills."
A 2000 Olympic Silver medalist for Russia, Ibragimov (21-0-1, 17 KOs) won the WBO belt in June when he won a decision from Shannon Briggs.
"Of course I'm disappointed that Chagaev pulled out of our fight and won't allow me to unify our titles, but fighting a legend like Evan Holyfield is even better," Ibragimov said. "And though I respect what he has done in his career, once the bell rings it will be all business, because he is trying to take what I have worked so hard for - my world championship."
The chance for Holyfield to win a heavyweight title for the fifth time in his Hall of Fame career came when WBA heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev pulled out of the bout against Ibragimov for undisclosed reasons.
"This is the first step on my quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and I'm glad Sultan Ibragimov was willing to step up and give me a shot," Holyfield said. "I'm looking forward to fighting in Moscow for the first time and winning my fifth heavyweight title there."
Not nearly the fighter he used to be when he defeated the likes of Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes among others, the 44-year-old Holyfield (42-8-2, 27 KOs) has won his last four bouts. He won a unanimous decision over Lou Savarese in his last fight on June 30.
Holyfield's winning streak has come on the heels of losing a unanimous decision to Larry Donald in New York in 2004. In August 2005, the New York Daily News reported that the New York State Athletic Commission had banned Holyfield from boxing in New York due to "diminishing skills."
A 2000 Olympic Silver medalist for Russia, Ibragimov (21-0-1, 17 KOs) won the WBO belt in June when he won a decision from Shannon Briggs.
"Of course I'm disappointed that Chagaev pulled out of our fight and won't allow me to unify our titles, but fighting a legend like Evan Holyfield is even better," Ibragimov said. "And though I respect what he has done in his career, once the bell rings it will be all business, because he is trying to take what I have worked so hard for - my world championship."
