By Rick Reeno

International promoter Vladimir Hryunov has advised BoxingScene.com that Denis Lebedev will defend his WBA cruiserweight title against "champion in recess" Guillermo Jones on May 17th at the Crocus City Hall in Myakinino, Russia.

The show will be co-promoted by Hryunov and Don King, who bid bid $712,000 to secure the promotional rights to Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs) vs. Jones (38-3-2, 30 KOs).

Hryunov says the event will be "sensational" and a strong undercard will be put together. King will travel to Russia in April to join Hryunov at the press conference to officially announce the fight.

Jones, 40, was stipped of the title after making only two defenses in four years. Five other planned title defenses were postponed or cancelled. The WBA finally took away his title after Jones postponed, twice, a mandatory fight with Lebedev. But, the WBA left Jones with the ability to get a direct title shot.