By Ruslan Chikov

Top rated cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev (22-1, 17 KOs) expects a very tough battle with former three division champion James Toney (73-6-3, 44 KOs), although Lebedev rates Roy Jones Jr. (54-8, 40 KOs) as the better fighter, at least when both boxers were at their best. Lebedev knocked out Jones in May, and faces Toney on November 4th in Moscow, Russia.

"Of course Roy Jones Jr. was a greater champion, but as a boxer I respect Toney as well. This doesn't mean that its going to be any easier to defeat him. I really, really want to win, but I know that a difficult task is waiting for me. For those people who continue to say that Toney is only fighting for the money, I suggest that you check with him in the ring. This guy, at first glance, accentuates his hatred, not only to me, but for the whole world around him. I know some of his statements to the press and I know he had a difficult childhood, because he hates the whole world," Lebedev told reporter Alexander Pavlov.