I remember reading that Lebedev's team applied to WBA to NOT sanction Lebedev v Gassiev for that title and seeing as Gassiev only won the IBF i guess it was granted. This is a real danger sign for me, they've given fighters a way of losing fights and still keep their belts, more ridiculousness from the WBA as usual
I guess the WBA sorta owes this to Lebedev after the whole Guillermo Jones I and II fiasco. Like you said, more poor decisions from sanctioning bodies that make their titles less relevant.
Probably. Boxrec still lists it as a loss, while it was announced to be finally turned into a NC over a year ago. I heard Buffer call his record 29-1-0-1 before the Gassiev bout, which it should be of course. But it looks like it's never officially changed.
Was a sneaky political move. It may lure Gassiev into a rematch though to pick up the other belt. After what happened against Jones, you cant be too mad at Lebedev getting some fortune, but stil...
I agree it's a bad precedent, but in this case it isn't so bad as: - Lebedev has generally been really unfortunate throughout his career (Jones, Huck decision, etc.) - Lebedev is still world-champion quality, it was a close fight
Honestly it's just a non-title fight then, correct? I don't have a problem with those really. Unless it's billed as "WBA title fight" on the posters and all that. Then it's pretty darn weak.
