WBA cruiserweight champion "in recess" Denis Lebedev (31-2, 23 KOs) scored a stoppage victory in the third round over former world title challenger Hizni Altunkaya (30-3, 17 KOs) in the main event of the evening in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Denis Lebedev of Russia said that he was ready to fight the undisputed cruiserweight champion Alexander Usyk anywhere, including Ukraine, the native country of the latter. The WBA in February reported that Lebedev, who did not take part in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), was declared "the champion in recess", but will have to meet with the winner of the tournament. Usyk in July won the WBSS final by beating the Russian Murat Gassiev.
Former cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev said that the American trainer Freddie Roach did not take part in his preparations for the fight against Hizni Altunkaya of Turkey, all the work was conducted by Marvin Samodio.
Former cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev of Russia lost 26 pounds during the preparation for the battle against Hizni Altunkaya of Turkey. Lebedev said this at a press conference before the fight which is scheduled for September 7 in Chelyabinsk.
Former WBA and IBF cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev of Russia will visit the fight of his compatriot Denis Lebedev with Hezni Altunkaya from Turkey, the organizers of the boxing evening in Chelyabinsk informed at a press conference.