Lebedev is Back on 12/17: Silgado, Taylor or Kayode

By Alexey Sukachev

According to sources in Russian media with sufficient knowledge of the current situation, a newly crowned WBA cruiserweight champion of the world Denis Lebedev (24-1, 18 KOs) will be back to the ring on Dec. 17 at Crocus City Hall in Myakinino, Moscow, Russia. Two or three fighters are mentioned as Lebedev's possible opponents: undefeated WBA #10 Santander Silgado (23-0, 18 KOs), WBA #15 Andres Taylor (21-2-1, 8 KOs) and WBA-unranked Nigerian Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KOs).

Kayode is the best-known fighter of these three. He fought Antonio Tarver to a draw earlier this year, this result being discarded as a result of a positive drug test for Tarver. Andres Taylor looks to be the least possible opponent. He is set to fight rapidly-rising Russian kayo artist Rakhim Chakhkiev the day after tomorrow, and it's highly unlikely he would be eligible to fight Lebedev a month after as Chakhkiev is deemed as a heavy favorite. As for 27-year old Columbian "Azukar" Silgado, he is totally untested on the elite level. He resumed his boxing career after three years off the ring in December 2011, and he is 4-0, 1 KO, this year.