Abraham-Shihepo on 8/24, Boytsov, Charr, Hryunov

By Alexey Sukachev

It had been announced by Denis Lebedev recently that he was breaking up his relationship with notorious Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov, who was one to guide him to the world championship level in just two or three years following a lengthy lay-off, for personal reasons.

It looks like Hryunov isn’t paid any attention to what Denis has said. “Lebedev vs. Jones showdown will have a very interesting continuation”, promised Hryunov, having been quoted by Allboxing.ru. He didn’t get into the details. Lebedev (25-2, 19 KOs) lost a memorable grueling war to Guillermo Jones (39-3-2, 32 KOs) in May on his home turf in what is considered by many to be a frontrunner for the 2013 FOTY award.

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According to Armenpress.am, WBO #7 Namibian Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs) can kick off a comeback tour for the two-division former champion King Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs), which is planned to begin on Aug. 24 in Schwerin, Germany.

WBO #4 Abraham is coming off the first stoppage loss in his career (although injury-induced) – to bitter rival Robert Stieglitz from this March. Shihepo is 7-0 recently (mostly in Namibia) and hasn’t lost a fight since being DQed in 2009 against Emanuel Duma. He has fought (and lost) to Isaac Chilemba and Stanislav Kashtanov among others but proved to be a durable opponent.

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Rumours are circulating that still-to-be-defeated Russian heavyweight Denis Boytsov (32-0, 25 KOs) can be back to the ring as soon as this Saturday under Hako Sevecke against an opponent to be announced. Boytsov’s fight can be part of the evening at Karl Eckel Halle at Hattersheim am Main, which is said to be crowned by WBC #8 Manuel Charr’s fight against Ukrainian veteran Oleksiy Mazikin.

As for Boytsov, he is ranked #3 by the WBO but lost his high places in other ranks because of his lengthy (unjury-induced) lay-off.