Evander Holyfield lands WBO title shot vs. Sultan Ibragimov

By Scott Shaffer

02/08/2007

Evander Holyfield lands WBO title shot vs. Sultan Ibragimov

Chagaev illness prevents WBO/WBA unification

Evander Holyfield will challenge Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO heavyweight title in October. The opportunity became available because WBA titlist Ruslan Chagaev has been diagnosed with a painful but non-life threatening illness and is unable to face Ibragimov in the unification bout that was scheduled for Moscow on October 13, 2007. Chagaev's loss is Holyfield's gain, however, as the boxing legend will now get an opportunity to add another championship to his storied career. The bout will take place at the same time and place that Ibragimov-Chagaev was originally slated for. "I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to become the heavyweight champion again. I love fighting in America but fighting in Moscow can be great as well. I am looking forward to showing the people I can win on whatever soil I am on," said Holyfield on a Russian conference call this morning.

Holyfield, who will be 45 years old in October, is a 1984 Olympic bronze medalist who became the undisputed world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion as a pro. After conquering all three champions in what was then the 190-pound division, Holyfield defeated Buster Douglas in 1990 and Riddick Bowe in 1993 for his first two world heavyweight championships. His career was considered over after a 1994 loss to Michael Moorer but, ever the warrior, Holyfield returned to defeat Mike Tyson and Moorer in 1997 in his third heavyweight reign. A 2000 win over John Ruiz gave him a vacant WBA belt. Lennox Lewis was considered the true champion back in 2000, so Holyfield is truthfully listed as four-time champion, although three-time champion is probably more accurate. Either way, he is one of boxing's all-time greats and one of the fiercest competitors in the history of sports. The earlier part of this decade was difficult for Holyfield, who currently has a career record of 42-8-2. Holyfield was once again considered finished as a legitimate boxer after a 2004 loss to Larry Donald but he returned to the ring wars in 2006. Overcoming a large amount of skepticism, Holyfield has produced wins over Jeremy Bates, Fres Oquendo, Vinnie Maddalone and Lou Savarese, and amazingly, he looked better and better each time out.