By Luke Furman

Cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev of Russia will hold his next fight in Chelyabinsk on September 7. The information was reported by the press office of Russian promotional company RCC Boxing.

"September 7, Chelyabinsk will host an international boxing card with the participation of Russian Denis Lebedev," the report said.

Lebedev has been out of the ring since July of 2017, when he picked up a twelve round unanimous decision win over Mark Flanagan of Australia.

The opponent for the 38-year-old Lebedev is currently unknown, but it was noted by RCC that they will secure a boxer from the "top 15 rating of the World Boxing Association (WBA)."

Earlier it was reported that Lebedev could fight against the absolute world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, but that won't happen next.

Earlier this year, Lebedev was stripped of his title status and made the WBA's "champion in recess" - which grants him an immediate world title shot if he chooses.

The sanctioning body took away his title position due to inactivity.

After that happened, Yunier Dorticos became the "super" champion, but his title run did not last very long as he was knocked out by Murat Gassiev. And then last month, Gassiev's title reign came to a quick end when he was dominated by Usyk in their World Boxing Super Series final bout, which took place in Moscow. Usyk also holds the WBC, IBF, WBO world titles.

Given his advanced age, and his track record of averaging 1 to 2 fights per year since 2013, Lebedev will likely go after an Usyk title shot sooner than later.

Lebedev, who is trained by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, has a record of 30 wins (22 by KO) and two defeats.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.