By Yuri Tarantin

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, WBA/IBF cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (29-2, 22 KOs) will be making his mandatory defense against challenger Murat Gassiev (23-0, 17 KOs) in late November or early December. The fight will take place at a venue to be determined in Russia.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) issued an order which directed Lebedev and unbeaten Murat Gassiev to begin negotiations for a mandatory showdown. The sanctioning had given both sides until July 3 to reach a deal, and the deal was reached.

Gassiev's Russian promoter is Alexey Vasiliev. Gassiev is advised by Al Haymon and fights under the Premier Boxing Champions banner.

Gassiev was not looking to unseat one of his countrymen for a world title, but it's worked out that way.

"Denis Lebedev is a a strong boxer," Gassiev said. "He's improved a lot in the past two years, when he began working with Freddie Roach. In my opinion, he is in the best shape of his career and his age does not matter. I certainly would not want to meet with a compatriot, but he has two belts and there is no other choice. The most important thing for me is a world title."

The matchup would also create a classic duel between trainers. Lebedev is handled by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, and Gassiev is trained by Abel Sanchez, who is currently best known as the head coach for Gennady Golovkin.

Earlier this year, Lebedev pulled out one of his most impressive victories with a two round destruction of Victor Emilio Ramirez to unify the WBA/IBF world titles before a frenzied crowd in Moscow, Russia.

The victory raised the 36-year-old's record to 29 wins (22 by knockout) and two defeats. Gassiev is one of Russia's most promising up and coming boxers. In his last fight, he had a very scary knockout of Jordan Shimmell. The 22-year-old Gassiev is promoted by Warriors Boxing in the United States.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru