Tonight's showdown at Madison Square Garden between Vladimir Klitschko, the IBF and IBO champion, and WBO title holder Sultan Ibragimov is step one towards crowning the first undisputed heavyweight champion in almost nine years.

Lennox Lewis last earned that distinction in November 1999 when he defeated Evander Holyfield.

Both Ukrainian Klitschko and Russian Ibragimov agree that unifying the five belts is in the best interest of boxing. The remaining belts currently are held by Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev (WBA) and Russian Oleg Maskaev (WBC).

"This fight is necessary for the sport of boxing," Klitschko, 49-3 (44 KOs), said prior to a news conference at Madison Square Garden.

"We definitely need one heavyweight champion."

Ibragimov, 22-0-1 (17 KOs), echoed Klitschko's statement, saying: "People want to see one champion."

Klitschko, 31, is a heavy favourite due to his substantial advantages in height and reach. At 6 ft 6 ins (1.98 metres) he is a full four inches taller than Ibragimov, 32, and Klitschko is adept at using his height and 81-inch reach to maximum effect.

Klitschko, from Kiev, works behind a stinging left jab that will make it difficult for Ibragimov, from Dagestan, to work his way inside his opponent's range.

Klitschko's trainer, Emanuel Steward, said he does not see any way his fighter will lose, but conceded the left-handed Ibragimov is no pushover.

"You have to fight Vladimir's arms first before you fight Vladimir," Steward said of his fighter's reach.

"Ibragimov is used to being the small guy. I've watched his fights and almost everybody he's fought is bigger (than him).

"I think, personally, that he's the best fighter that Vladimir will have fought as a professional."