(Sports Network) - Russian Nikolay Valuev narrowly retained his WBA heavyweight title on Saturday with a majority decision victory over the ancient Evander Holyfield.

Holyfield, 46, had not been in the ring since losing a unanimous decision to Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007, but the former four-time heavyweight champ held his own in the title bout before ultimately losing on two scorecards -- 116-112 and 115-114 -- while the third card resulted in a draw, 114-114.

The 7-foot, 311-pound Valuev (50-1) has yet to face a true test in the ring and his lackluster performance against the "Real Deal" Holyfield (42-10-2) will further supplant his slow ascent in the rankings.

Holyfield was the aggressor in the first few of rounds, landing hard lefts while the champion failed to counter with much success.

Valuev, who captured the vacant WBA title this past August with a 12-round unanimous decision over John Ruiz, turned the bout around in the middle stages as Holyfield appeared to tire out. While neither fighter was able to knock the other down, the Russian bested the American in close and with steady jabs.

The American attempted to rally down the stretch but his comeback effort and bid to become the oldest heavyweight to win a major title fell just short.



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