By James Slater: I don’t know about you, fight fans – but I want to see just how good Russian cruiserweight and current interim WBA 200-pound ruler Denis Lebedev really is. The once-beaten southpaw (beaten via close, controversial decision by Marco Huck) has added to his resume quite significantly with wins over modern day legends James Toney (last time out, a shut-out points win) and Roy Jones Junior (back in May of last year, a savage 10th-round KO) – but how would the 32-year-old do if he went in with the division’s best?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll get an answer any time soon. According to Fightnews.com and Boxrec, Lebedev, 23-1(17) will face fellow lefty Shawn Cox of Barbados on April 4th, in Moscow.
Aside from two wins in the U.K (one over Enzo Maccarinelli), Lebedev has fought in only Germany and his native Russia. To no great surprise then, Lebedev’s next fight looks headed towards Russia. Cox, a 37-year-old who can certainly punch, is 16-1(15) and he is coming off a one-round destruction of former cruiserweight king Wayne Braithwaite, who he decked three times in the opening round of a fight that took place just two weeks ago.
Cox, never stopped as a pro, is very much a mystery to a good many fans, but he will get the chance to end Lebedev’s winning streak next. What can we expect from the probable April 4th match-up?
Cox can bang. So can Lebedev. Lebedev has a proven chin. Cox has not. Also Lebedev, though his most high profile wins have come against past their best (arguably totally shot) one-time big names, has proven he is of a certain class – maybe even total world class. Add it all up, and though Cox – known as “The Sniper” and, at 6’1” significantly taller than Lebedev – is in with a puncher’s chance next month, it looks like another win for the Russian tough guy.
But what would a Lebedev win over Cox prove?
Again, I want to see how good, maybe even how special, natural born-fighter Lebedev can be. Last seen pounding what is left of the once-great James Toney, fans the world over hoped Lebedev would seek out a legit challenge after his November 2011 points win. There was talk of a Lebedev-Antonio Tarver showdown, and also a Lebedev Gulliermo Jones unification battle.
Instead, it looks like Lebedev will square off with Cox – no doubt in front of yet another passionate, sold-out Russian audience.
It would take a brave man to predict anything other than another Lebedev victory!