Vladimir Hrunov: Tarver Among Candidates For Lebedev

After his recent lopsided points wins over aging legend James Toney, information coming from the camp of cruiserweight interim champion Denis Lebedev was slow while details were properly sorted out.

However, Russia’s leading promoter Vladimir Hrunov was forthcoming in a recent interview with Sportsbox.ru, revealing some valuable info about Lebedev’s future. 

Are there any prospects in arranging any more world-class boxing events in Russia?

The answer is obvious: yes, there are! I do think both Denis Lebedev and Alexander Povetkin earned their places as headliners in such tournaments. Both of them are worth filling an entire stadium. They should have a right to select the best opponents and to take part in meaningful competitions. 

What can you tell us about Denis Lebedev’s next bout?

We are currently in negotiations with several big-name opponents, including Antonio Tarver. His team is eager to make this fight overseas, in America. The WBA has also pressed us to fight Guillermo Jones, who is the regular WBA champion. It’s our duty to fight him and we are planning to make such a fight. 

I want legendary Don King, the man who has made boxing as we know it today, to visit our country. King transformed boxing into a show and then into money, made thrilling action out of an ordinary sport. Don forced boxing fans to pay for the entertainment and to receive one (of the greatest qualities). He is a legend and I want him to help us sell the event to arrange all the hype.

When will this fight take its place?

Most possibly, we shall make it in March. It’ll be a fight for a full WBA title.

Do you have any info from Team Jones if he is ready for the challenge or not?

We are currently negotiating with his handlers. We are on phone every day and every night. There are various unforeseen obstacles to almost everything in the game but this case is different. While there can be problems we don’t have any right now. Also we are planning a fight for Alexander Bakhtin on December 24 at the CSKA arena in Moscow, Russia. There’s a chance this bout can also be elevated into an interim’s title mode if Rico Ramos and Guillermo Rigondeaux will fight each other for a full version of the WBA’s super bantamweight belt on Jan. 31.