From the scene: By Alexey Sukachev Inside the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia, the post fight press conference for "Not a Step Back" took place, with all of the main personalities*involved - including James Toney, Denis Lebedev, trainer Kostya Tszyu, promoter Vladimir Hryunov and several other key figures. On Friday night, Denis Lebedev dominated former three division champion James "Lights Out" Toney over twelve one-sided rounds to capture the interim-WBA cruiserweight crown. Hryunov: We have seen a great match-up between two legendary*personalities Denis Lebedev and James Toney. It was a major step forward in the popularization of the Sweet Science in Russia and the*neighboring countries, and it was really a huge event. I want to thank James Toney for his courage and bravery. As for Denis, he confirmed once again his elite status among the*cruiserweights of this era About Lebedevs future: We were ready to go after Guillermo Jones but this guy keeps fighting once*a year or so. I wonder why he hasnt been stripped yet for his inactivity. Now, there are a handful of possibilities for Denis, but our fight has just been finished and its too early to discuss other options. But one of the most probable opportunities is a fight with Antonio Tarver*in England. Our promoter Frank ****** is positively interested in this fight, and we are ready to fight Antonio next. Lebedev: I want to thank everybody for their support. Despite some claims about*the easiness of this fight, it was a hard battle for me. James Toney, whose courage can hardly be overestimated, tried to set up some traps. He tried to invite me in and to punish me in close quarters, with his stinging counters. Im glad I was able to avoid these traps and to find a road to the victory. Toney: Denis Lebedev is a great fighter. But he never hurt me. Injury is what hurt me more than anything else. I*strained my knee*in the second round and this affected my performance tonight. I had no excuses though it was an honest victory. I also want to thank Agalarov Estate for its tremendous support and hospitality. About Denis Lebedevs next fight: I wish Denis would take on Marco Huck next. If not, it will be interesting to see him against the WBC champion. As for Antonio Tarver, Im positively*sure that Lebedev would knock*him out. About his own future: James Toney aint finished yet. Ill be back when Im healed. I have lots of things to do and a lot of people on my wish-list About what he kept saying to Denis during the fight: Ahmm, hello, Denis. Have a nice day! (smiles) About who is a better fighter Lebedev or Jirov: They are both rather tough but Denis has faster hands to go with. Tags: James Toney , Denis Lebedev , Antonio Tarver , Toney-Lebedev , Toney vs Lebedev , Tarver-Lebedev , Tarver vs Lebedev
Wow, like that dig at tarver there. I think a lebedev/tarver fight would be even up tbh w/ a slight lean towards tarver. We'll soon see how relevant tarver's win over danny green when green challenges diablo down under for the WBC title. If the pole can stop green then it takes the shine off of tarver's win. I really beleive though that denis can be the best cruiser in the world.
I'm hoping Tarver gets in there with Ledvedev. :deal Unlike JT he aint punchy, outta shape, or slower than EVER, and unlike Roy he aint chinny. What I saw today was what I expected, although I know JT's knee got torqued real good twice in rd 2, and it was obvious his power was a bit less after that, but in the first he was actually semi competitive. I almost gave him the rd, but DL did put some punches together at the end of it and pulled it out. I don't think DL SP power would translate at ALL in a Tarver fight. It would almost certainly be a battle of skills, a chessmatch, which fight can get in and out without eating the C/R hook. Just IMO, I think Tarver beats DL to the punch. Better jab obviously, faster, by a country mile....Tarver could come in around 185-190. That would seriously hamper Ledbedev since it won't be someone sitting back only to counter like Toney, but capable of going in and out successfully, and doing similar CPing as did Toney and Jones. This is a fight I HAVE to see. I mean people will hate on DL if he hurts another OLD ATG, but IMO, liking Tarver especially, I don't want to see him vs a K2, and this fight may be a way to cement his legacy in his own mind. He could beat Ledbedev, beat Hernandez and go out on a high note, and everyones happy. DL's got about 6-7 decent yrs ahead, and while I still don't think he's top 5, he's definitely capable. I think he could learn something from the old dogs he's just beaten. Bring those guys to camp, spar em, and learn to effectively counter, and slip shots. DL got caught WAAAAYYYY to much, about 1/2 the time JT threw a whole punch, and if he was a little more flexible about the waiste it would aid him in his career.
After Lebedev stops Tarver he should then beat Hopkins, thus defeating the four most iconic American fighters of the past decade or so. Denis "Legend Killer" Lebedev
Got Stunned in the 2nd round but why and experimented fighter like him keeps leaning and moving toward his right when Lebedev left hook and uppercut keep landing on him. Maybe too much brain damagelol
