Klitschko unifies world boxing titles

Updated 12.44 Sun Feb 24 2008
Keywords: sultan ibragimov, emanuel steward, wladimir klitschko, boxing, sport

Wladimir Klitschko is the undisputed heavyweight world boxing champion after a points victory over Sultan Ibragimov in New York.

Klitschko won a unanimous verdict after a disappointing bout, to add the WBO world title to the IBF and IBO belts he already held.

"I'm happy to have three belts and to get the WBO belt back" - Wladimir Klitschko

Klitschko said: "Ibragimov didn't do much to engage in the fight."

Some of the 14,000 fans at Madison Square Garden booed during the fight and Klitschko's trainer Emanuel Steward insisted both boxers were to blame for the dull bout.

Steward said: "Wladimir could have thrown more punches but I'm not disappointed because Ibragimov is a very difficult fighter because of his style.

"Wladimir said Ibragimov kept leaning back and that was why he was having trouble going after him. He's a very difficult guy to fight, very careful."

Klitschko is the first man to unify the world heavyweight title since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999.

He added: "I'm happy to have three belts and to get the WBO belt back, as it was the first belt I had."

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