Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov stand for unification of heavyweight world titles

IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko and WBO titleholder Sultan Ibragimov want to unify two of the four heavyweight world titles.

Photo: Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov stand for unification of heavyweight world titles

Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov stand for unification of heavyweight world titles

Leon Margules, Ibragimov's promoter and lawyer, told Germany's Die Welt newspaper on Tuesday the two fighters expect to sign this week in New York to fight on Feb. 23 in Madison Square Garden.

"We have to clear up some small things," Margles said. "But since all of us absolutely want this fight, we'll make it."

Regarded by many as the best of the current heavyweights, Klitschko (49-3, 44 knockouts) tops the independent IBO rankings. Ibragimov (22-0-1, 17 knockouts) pounded out a unanimous decision against Evander Holyfield last month.

Holyfield lost heavyweight boxing's last unification fight in 1999, dropping his WBA and IBF belts to WBC champion Lennox Lewis.

The current fractured state of the title in boxing's marquee division is blamed in part for a slide in the sport's popularity.

The other two heavyweight champions are Ruslan Chagaev of the WBA and Samuel Peter of the WBC.