Fighting before a home crowd in Moscow, Russia, Ibragimov fought in a smart, conservative - in other words dull - style that Holyfield was never able to figure out. Holyfield did enough to narrowly win the first two rounds as Ibragimov settled into a fight plan. For the next nine rounds, Holyfield moved forward but rarely threw anything more than single punches as Ibragimov countered effectively. Holyfield was slightly more aggressive in the final round and landed a few good shots but never had Ibragimov in any trouble whatsoever.
The judges all scored the fight for Ibragimov: 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.
After the fight, Holyfield, who turns 45 next week, was asked if this was his final fight. The response - entirely predictable to anyone that has watched the former champ in recent years - was a quick and emphatic no. This was Holyfield's last best chance at a fifth heavyweight title as he may never get another shot and, if he does, it will likely take at least another year and come against a larger, more dangerous opponent. Holyfield has nothing left to prove to anyone except, it appears, himself. Sadly, it may require Holyfield getting seriously hurt in the ring - or not being able to secure a boxing license anywhere in the world - for him to leave the sport.
The workmanlike performance by Ibragimov will win him no new fans but showed that the undefeated 32-year-old would likely be competitive in a unification bout with any of the other heavyweight beltholders: Wladimir Klitschko (IBF), Ruslan Chagaev (WBA) or Samuel Peter (WBC).
