Marco Huck versus Denis Lebedev fight tentatively set
A cruiserweight contest between WBO champ and popular German fighter Marco Huck (30-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated prospect Denis Lebedev (21-0, 16 KOs) is tentatively set for 18 December.
As both fighters are immensely popular in Germany, the news marks a huge development to determine top-rated fighters of the cruiserweight division. Huck is currently rated by
Ring Magazine at No.2, while Lebedev comes in at a close No.5.
Lebedev, who earns the bout by ranking No.1 by the WBO, has defeated the likes of Alexander Alekseev and Enzo Maccarinelli convincingly since returning to the ring in 2008.
The win over Alekseev, in particular, brought Lebedev into the international eye. Not more than two years ago, Alekseev was a Universum cruiserweight prospect with a 16-0, 15 KO record to his name.
In addition, Lebedev's brutal third round TKO of Maccarinelli is considered by many to be the fight that ruined him as a fighter.
Since obtaining the WBO belt, Huck has successfully defended it four times, three by way of stoppage. He is a formidable opponent and a popular draw, known to knockout or stop virtually everyone he steps into the ring with.
Lebedev’s manager Vladimir Hryunov said on the developments, "This bout is 99 per cent done. There are no contradictions between our parties so only signatures are to be put. Most probably, everything will be finalized this coming Saturday...This title fight
will definitely be held in Germany. The exact venue doesn’t worry us. We recognize it as a great opportunity for Denis to become a world champion."
The fight comes just as many in the boxing world were hoping for a cruiserweight tournament to bring some of the flame back to the division. A 'Super Six' tournament like the one ongoing in the super middleweight division remains a possibility, but has
not been formally arranged.
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