By Ruslan Chikov and Gregory Stangrit/Allboxing.ru
Boxing manager Vladimir Hryunov expects his fighter, top cruiserweight Denis Lebedev, to beat some respect into former three division champion James Toney. Lebedev (22-1, 17KOs) faces Toney (73-6-3, 44KOs) on November 4 at Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia. Hryunov tells Allboxing.ru/BoxingScene.com that Toney has displayed a lack of respect for boxers from the former Soviet Union, and Lebedev will take it upon himself to teach him respect in the ring.
"Toney has said repeatedly that the Klitschko brothers did not want to face him. Maybe this is true, but he displays a lack of respect for the Klitschkos. When he calls them the Klitschko sisters, I want to put a stop to this. But his disrespect for the Klitschko brothers was one of the reasons why we chose Toney [as an opponent]. I think Denis Lebedev is going to solve this issue. We are going to resolve the issue by making Toney build some respect for all of the boxers from the former Soviet Union. First, let Toney try to cope with Denis Lebedev, and then we'll see [after the fight] if he gives the two brothers respect or disrespect."