By Alexey Sukachev

As was previously reported by the BoxingScene, two cruiserweight titleholders were in deep negotiations for a unification showdown. WBA 200lb champion Denis Lebedev (28-2, 21 KOs), rated #2 by the TBRB, has targeted Argentinean Victor Emilio Ramirez (22-2-1, 17 KOs), who owns the IBF belt and #5 ranking within Transnational Boxing Rankings Board chart.

According to Andrey Ryabinsky, the powerful Russian promoter (who guides Lebedev among others), the fight is a done deal.

“We have just signed it. The fight will take place either in Moscow or in Sochi this April," Ryabinsky revealed.

Lebedev, 36, has been a major player in his weight class ever since his comeback to the ring after four years off (2004-2008). Lebedev challenged Marko Huck (then-WBO beltholder) after a solid run through several fringe contenders but lost via a dubious split decision. Guillermo Jones, who was found to be doped soon thereafter, derailed his second run under very shady circumstances two and a half years later. Lebedev, an owner of the WBA belt by that time, has never lost his title. He enjoyed a solid campaign over the last year and a half, stopping Pawel Kolodziej and Lateef Kayode and overcoming hard-nosed challenger Youri Kalenga in April 2015.

Ramirez, 31, enjoys his second title run at the moment. He was first proclaimed the champion after a sensational stoppage win over heavy favorite Alexander Alekseev in January 2009. He acquired an interim version of the WBO belt, then elevated his status to a full one but then was tightly outpointed by Huck to lose his title. That fight took place in August 2009, and Ramirez was off the ring for more than four years after that.

He came back with a bang, starting from his TKO 1 win over Thabiso Nogale in December 2013 and finally culminating in a respected victory over perennial contender Ola Afolabi last April. Ramirez then retained his title after a controversial split draw versus journeyman-turned-contender Ovill McKenzie in September.