Boxer Denis Lebedev - "Russian soldier": biography and career

Denis Lebedev is a professional boxer from Russia, performing in the first heavy weight category (up to 90.5 kilograms). The world champion under versions IBF (2016) and WBA (2012 - on. In). The boxer once served in CSKA, so he goes to the ring in military uniforms, this is his real chip. But why in the form of the Airborne Forces, we will explain later. On the account of the Russian, 33 fights, including 30 wins (22 KOs), one draw and two defeats.

Boxer Denis Lebedev: biography

He was born on August 14 in 1979 in Stary Oskol, USSR. He grew up in a friendly sports family, where the father and elder brother were boxers. Initially, Denis began to engage in gymnastics. And if the section did not close then Lebedev would not have to end this sport, then probably he would have been more of a professional gymnast than a first-class boxer.

However, fate turned everything exactly as it should - at the insistence of his father Denis still signed up for the boxing section. Each day with his brother, they went to the gym and trained for several hours. The older brother had better results than Denis. In view of this, the latter was often upset and threatened to quit boxing, because there he did not shine. But life does not know other people's rules, but dictates only its own. Denis had to overcome his fears and failures, and he remained in professional boxing.

Acquaintance with boxing

Denis Lebedev's first coach was Yevgeny Sergeyev, who developed talent and fearlessness in the guy. A few years later Lebedev, Jr. collected all titles and awards in amateur city and regional competitions. In 1997, Denis Lebedev became European champion among fans up to 75 kilograms, and a year later he won the third place in the Goodwill Games (New York-1998) in the category up to 81 kilograms.

In 1999 Denis was taken to the army. Many fans and admirers of the boxer know that Lebedev always goes to the ring in a sailor and take it. This is a kind of visiting card for the athlete. In a natural way many fans have a question about where the boxer Denis Lebedev served. The form emphasizes the affiliation of the Airborne Forces. And he served in the Central Army Sports Club. Here he trained as a true athlete. He had a personal trainer and all the necessary boxing attributes for professional training. After the demobilization of the boxer Denis Lebedev signed a contract with CSKA and acted in the professional ring under the auspices of the club. And the appearance in his outfit of a vest and a beret, he explains by the fact that among his friends there are many paratroopers with whom he is proud. And they do not mind that he defended the honor of Russia in the ring in this manner.

Professional career

Biography of boxer Denis Lebedev originates from an amateur career, where he had an unprecedented international success. After the army, Lebedev began a professional boxing career in light heavyweight. It all began in 2001: already in the third official duel he won the title of the champion of Russia. He then repeated the same success in 2004. From 2001 to 2004, Boxer Denis Lebedev had 13 fights, which all ended in his victory. In 2004, the athlete said that he was leaving the world of professional boxing.

Return: the first heavy weight

In 2008, Denis decides to return to the ring and achieve more. After a 4-year break, he stubbornly trains and restores his former form. In the first heavyweight boxer Denis Lebedev began to fight with eminent and experienced rivals. In March 2009, the Russian sent an experienced boxer from Cuba Eliseo Castillo (5th round, 2 minute, 50th second) to the knockout. In the same period Lebedev dealt with such experienced fighters as Enzo Maccarinelli, Ignacio Espara, Roy Jones, Sean Cox and many others.

Duel against Marco Huck: first defeat

In December 2010, Russian boxer Denis Lebedev fought against the German Marco Huck (current world champion). During the fight, both boxers looked the same, making each other a competition. However, Denis Lebedev still retained the advantage, despite the fact that the German boxer distinguished himself with a large number of "pure blows". The fight for the WBO title (Mark Hook's 5th defense) ended without knockouts. The whole of Berlin froze in anticipation of the announcement of the winner. The judge from America put the ratings 116-112 in favor of the Russian, and the other two judges put balls 113-115 in favor of Mark Hook. As a result, the overall result remained for the current WBO champion.

After this fight there was a lot of conflicts, disputes and disagreements. The fans were unhappy that the victory was given to the German, as Denis Lebedev looked more worthy. Surprisingly, even the German fans themselves believed that their boxer deserved a dishonest victory, calling the verdict a "robbery."