By Alexey Sukachev

It’s official. According to sources in Russia, reigning WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (25-2, 19 KOs) struck a three-year deal with Andrey Ryabinskiy’s “World of Boxing” promotional company.

Lebedev had been connected with the name of the new Russian boxing tycoon for the last twelve months since his break from Vladimir Hryunov, who had managed Lebedev ever since his comeback to the sport in 2008. Denis was scheduled to fight his bitter foe Guillermo Jones earlier this April under Ryabinskiy’s promotion but that contest has been called off merely minutes before the opening bell after Jones was tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in a row.

Lebedev joins the stellar ranks of “World of Boxing”, which also includes 2004 Athens gold medalist and ex-WBA heavyweight “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin, 2008 Beijing heavyweight gold medalist Rakhim Chakhkiev and cruiserweight stalwart Grigory Drozd.