MOSCOW, 15 October 2007 — After winning four world heavyweight titles and being the undisputed cruiserweight champion in a 23-year pro career, it’s time to quit, Evander. You have nothing left to prove.

That’s the message from trainers Jeff Mayweather and Freddie Roach after Sultan Ibragimov of Russia kept his WBO title with a unanimous decision over Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, who turns 45 on Friday.

Holyfield was attempting to become the second-oldest heavyweight champion — after George Foreman — and win a fifth world title as part of a bid to unify the division.

Although the only time he ended up on the canvas was through a slip in the 11th round, Holyfield couldn’t counter Ibragimov’s superior hand and foot speed and rarely landed any combinations.

The judges scored Saturday’s fight at Khodynka Arena, which had no knockdowns, 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.

Mayweather, Ibragimov’s trainer and the uncle of unbeaten welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, was impressed with Holyfield’s chin and physical condition but not his post-bout determination to continue fighting.

“If he couldn’t get past this shot, it’s time to walk away,” Mayweather said. “It’s time to call it quits. He’s won the championship four times. What’s left to prove? The reality is that boxing is a young man’s sport. He’s 44 years old.

“He’s got money. Walk away with some of your faculties.

He’s been in so many wars, eventually something bad will happen if he continues. But there’s no need.” Holyfield’s record dropped to 42-9 with two draws. But he is only 6-6 with two draws since 1999, with the highlight being a TKO win in 2002 over former world champion Hasim Rahman following a clash of heads.

Ibragimov fought from the outside, ducking in to deliver two- and three-punch combinations before retreating behind his long, accurate jab to flummox Holyfield with his southpaw stance and slippery defensive technique.

“The guy wasn’t standing there when he hit me,” Holyfield said. “When I hit him with a nice shot, he was able to move or be able to make adjustments, which has something to do with being a smart fighter.

“When I did hit him with a right hand, I was off balance because of how he positioned himself. He was just able to move and get away from the combinations, so it was hard for me to dictate.” Roach trained the left-handed Michael Moorer, whom Holyfield beat in 1997 to win the IBF belt and join Lennox Lewis and Muhammad Ali as three-time champs. Roach felt Holyfield’s tactics let him down Saturday.

“Tonight, he was moving into Sultan’s left hand, which is his power hand,” Roach said. “I think if he had moved the other way, he would have been much more effective. He should have gone back to the style when he beat Moorer in the second fight. It was the perfect way to beat a southpaw.

Holyfield’s trainer, Ronnie Shields, said his fighter just didn’t land enough punches to take the title off the Russian in his own backyard. Asked if Holyfield should continue fighting, Shields hesitated.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what he should do right now,” Shields said. “I think he should take some time and think about what he wants to do.”