By Jake Donovan
Denis Lebedev is set for the fourth defense of his cruiserweight belt, as the knockout artist from Russia braces for Youri Kalenga in what figures to be a stiff challenge Friday evening in Moscow, Russia.
The bout will mark the sixth time in the past seven fights that Kalenga (21-1, 14KOs)—a Congolese boxer who lives in France—is forced to fight on the road. The streaking 27-year old who has won five straight is coming off of a 12th round stoppage of previously unbeaten Denton Daley last November in Ontario, Canada.
Kalenga first entered the title picture with a mild upset of Mateusz Masternak, scoring a well-earned split decision last June in Monte Carlo.
Lebedev (26-2, 20KOs) has long served as a fixture among the top cruiserweights in the world, though his stay at or near the top has been spent victimized by controversy. Both of his career losses came under dubious circumstances, beginning with a hotly contested split decision at the hands of long-reigning titlist Marco Huck in Dec. ’10.
A pair of wins over badly faded former greats James Toney and Roy Jones comprised of Lebedev’s 2012 campaign as he awaited a showdown with Guillermo Jones. The veteran from Panama held a cruiserweight title for years but defended about as often as the Olympics roll around, an inactive period that led to his being demoted to champion in recess while Lebedev was upgraded from “interim” to “regular” titlist.
By the time they finally met in May ’13, the two produced a war for the ages, won by Jones via 11th round knockout. The win was seriously tainted, however, as Jones tested positive for a banned substance. While the loss for whatever reason remains on Lebedev’s record, the belt also remained around his waist. Efforts to settle their score in the ring last May were thwarted when Jones was once again popped for banned substances, this time turning up in pre-fight random drug testing.
The result of the test came at the 11th hour, forcing the cancellation of their rematch literally as both fighters were in the arena and warming up in their respective dressing rooms. The closest Lebedev would get to revenge was his team successfully suing Jones and promoter Don King, winning a lengthy court battle last fall.
Lebedev’s lone ring action since that debacle came last September, scoring a 2nd round knockout of previously unbeaten Pawel Kolodziej in Moscow.
The well-traveled Kalenga fights for the first time in Russia and for a full version of a cruiserweight title.
Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the cruiserweight action will play out.
BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS:
DENIS LEBEDEV vs. YOURI KALENGA
Ryan Burton (Lebedev KO10):
“The Fight will be close for the first half before the Russian breaks down and stops his opponent.”
Jake Donovan (Kalenga Dec.):
“I’ve slept on Kalenga’s potential in each of his past two fights. Lebedev is an entirely different kind of beast, but I believe the visiting contender can box well enough to pull off what will go down as a considerable upset.”
Lyle Fitzsimmons (Lebedev TKO7):
“The Congo-born Frenchman has a nice record, but not nearly the street cred of his hard-hitting and resilient opponent who’s also fighting on home turf. Too much to overcome.”
John MacDonald (Lebedev late TKO):
“Kalenga is strong and relentless but Lebedev's tough-man credentials are well established. The Russian's shorter, more accurate punches could wear down Kalenga in the later stages of the fight.”
Takahiro Onaga (Lebedev Dec.):
“I really excited about this fight. Both men throw a lot of big punches. This will somehow go all 12 in a Fight of the Year contender.”
Cliff Rold (Lebedev Dec.):
“Kalenga doesn't hit hard enough to stop Lebedev from gradually taking over and roughing him up. I think Kalenga finishes though.”
Victor Salazar (Kalenga Dec.):
“I think Kalenga can box and he can surely outbox Lebedev. The only problem is that his power is isn’t great and the fight is in Russia. I can see Kalenga out boxing Lebedev by a lot, meaning just enough to leave Russia with a split decision.”
Reynaldo Sanchez (Kalenga TKO10):
“Both fighters look in great shape, Kalenga are very confident on the win. Lebedev have received all the support from the Russian people and his promoter, to rise up to the ring as favorite. Wherever I see Kalenga more focused and his physical conditions attach of his skills will be the difference.”
Alexey Sukachev (Lebedev TKO9):
“I've tried but I failed to move past Youri's loss to ah 11-18-3 journeyman. It could even be a robbery but, hey, if you are robbed against 11-18-3... that tells you something, right? I think Kalenga will give Lebedev a tough fight but at the end he will be destroyed by a stronger fighter than he is.”
Totals:
Lebedev–6
Kalenga–3
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox