Lebedev, Gassiev in Talks For Crushing Fight: IBF Issues Order

By Igor Lazorin, tass

Cruiserweight Denis Lebedev is finding out that it's not always easy to be a unified world champion. The Russian puncher is now hit with two mandatory defenses on the table.

Under the World Boxing Association (WBA), Lebedev has a mandatory with WBA 'regular' champion Beibut Shumenov, but Shumenov is not exactly pushing the issue, according to Lebedev's camp members.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has issued an order which directs Lebedev and unbeaten Murat Gassiev to begin negotiations for a mandatory showdown. The sanctioning has given both sides until July 3 to reach a deal or purse bid will be ordered, according to Gassiev's Russian promoter Alexey Vasiliev. Gassiev is advised by Al Haymon and fighters under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, as does Shumenov.

The matchup would also create a classic duel between trainers. Lebedev is handled by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, and Gassiev is trained by Abel Sanchez, who is currently best known as the head coach for Gennady Golovkin.

Late last month, Lebedev pulled out one of his most impressive victories with a two round destruction of Victor Emilio Ramirez to unify the WBA/IBF world titles before a frenzied crowd in Moscow, Russia.

The victory raised the 36-year-old's record to 29 wins (22 by knockout) and two defeats. Gassiev is one of Russia's most promising up and coming boxers. In his last fight, he knocked a very scary knockout of Jordan Shimmell. The 22-year-old Gassiev, who is promoted by Warriors Boxing in the United States, has a record of 23 wins (17 by KO) and no losses.