Boxing: Holyfield “still hungry for success”

Veteran U.S. heavyweight Evander Holyfield will attempt to become one of the oldest boxing champions in history when he steps into the ring against Russia's WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov on Saturday. Both fighters have weighed in for eagerly-awaited c

In the week-long build-up to the brawl, both men have shown each other respect. At Friday's pre-fight news conference there was none of the sledging or eye-balling fight fans have come to expect in recent years.

And why would they? A packed house has already been guaranteed. The fighters can now get on with the job at hand.

For Ibragimov that means making a successful first defence of his WBO title, which the 32-year-old grabbed following a unanimous points decision over former champion Shannon Briggs in June.

But the champion, who can boost a 21-win, no-loss and one-draw pro record, certainly isn’t taking anything for granted.

Meanwhile, the history books might need to be rewritten all over again if Holyfield is the last man standing.

The only fighter in history to clinch four world heavyweight titles, a fifth would place him in a virtually unreachable position and also tie the 44-year-old with George Foreman as the oldest heavyweight champion of all time.

And despite having climbed into the ring on 52 previous occasions, the American says he's still hungry for success.

Regardless of the outcome, both men will leave Moscow with healthier bank balances. Ibragimov will pocket $US 5 millions, while 'the Real Deal' will return stateside $US 2 million richer.