Denis Lebedev

Childhood and youth

Denis was born and grew up in the city of Stary Oskol. Already in childhood, he made friends with sports - attended the gymnastics section, where he was among the first, showing excellent results. But one day the circle closed, and the father, a former athlete, advised his son to take a closer look at boxing. The young man was not easily given the rings, for a long time he was inferior to his rivals in sparring, but did not give up, continuing to comprehend the mastery of martial arts.

After graduating from school, Lebedev joined the army. He left to serve in CSKA, where he trained under the guidance of Vladimir Lavrov. In amateur competitions, the future champion has already demonstrated talent and the fruits of diligent training. Denis has won the European Junior Championship and a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games. After the service Lebedev signed a contract with the boxing club "Record" in Luzhniki, but soon it was closed.

The boxer's early biography is full of bright acquaintances. Since childhood, Denis knew Fedor Emelianenko, and in his youth, while serving in the army, he met his future rival Alexander Alekseev.

Box

Denis Lebedev joined professional boxing in 2001. His sports career developed rapidly – in just three years, the boxer won 13 victories, becoming the champion of Russia. Having supported the title for the second time, Denis suddenly disappeared from the arena. Later, he told reporters that the fights did not bring the desired income, but it was necessary to support the family, which was significantly replenished. The man went into private security, accompanied the transportation of expensive goods, served as a bodyguard for VIPs. I managed to work in Kiev and Yalta.

In 2008, fans enthusiastically received the news of Lebedev's return to the big sport. And he didn't disappoint. The year 2009 was especially successful – Denis knocked out the world champion from Cuba Enzo Maccarinelli in the ring and put the title of intercontinental champion in his personal piggy bank.Duel after duel was followed by victories, including a fight with an army friend Alexander Alekseev. This victory gave Lebedev the right to fight with Marco Hook. The fight turned out to be bright and ambiguous: although the opponent defended the title, not all judges and spectators agreed with the verdict.The year 2011 was marked for Denis Lebedev by a meeting with boxing star Roy Jones. The ring turned out to be difficult, while the referee stopped the fight late. Already a middle-aged professional (at that time Roy turned 42), the Russian sent him into a deep knockout, the doctors could not bring the American to his senses for 10 minutes. In an interview, Jones said that he forgives Lebedev the last decisive blow.In the late autumn of the same year, fans rejoiced - Denis won the title of interim WBA champion by fighting James Toney. A beautiful duel ended with an unconditional victory of the Russian. Once again Lebedev convinced of the skill of fighting, having fought with Santander Silgado. A worthy opponent from Colombia, who did not know a single defeat, collapsed in a knockout from Denis's blows.An intriguing relationship has developed between a Russian athlete and a Panamanian boxer, world champion Guillermo Jones. The date of the fight was postponed several times, as a result, he refused to participate at all, for which he lost the championship title – Lebedev got the title without a fight. But still, on May 17, 2013, the men met in the ring.Boxing fans were looking forward to this event, predicting victory for the Russian. However, Guillermo's resilience delighted the audience, the Panamanian left Denis exhausted, with an injury to his eye, and the fight was stopped. But in the same autumn Lebedev was returned the title of champion, taking it away from Jones for doping. And later, the May duel was decided to be declared invalid.Then followed a series of honest victories. Denis Lebedev knocked out Polish wrestler Pavel Kolodzei, knocked down Frenchman Youri Kalenga and Nigerian Latif Kayode, and in 2016 won a fight with Argentine Victor Emilio Ramirez, thereby combining the championship belts.Denis had to defend the title of champion, meeting with undefeated compatriot Murat Gassiev. The spectacular fight took place in early December 2016 in the capital of Russia. Denis Lebedev was knocked down for the second time in his life, as a result, the athlete said goodbye to the IBF champion belt. At the same time, Denis's fee was $ 400 thousand.

2017 brought Lebedev another victory. In early July, the athlete again confirmed the WBA (Super) title in the first heavyweight division. In the ring, the Russian met with Australian Mark Flanagan, who is famous for 22 victories, while suffering defeats only four times. Denis sent his opponent to a knockdown, and a day later he received congratulations on defending the title from Vladimir Putin himself.

The boxer then promised the fans that he would still enter the ring, however, without going into details of plans for the future. However, on February 1, 2018, Denis Lebedev was stripped of the super champion title by the decision of the World Boxing Association.The Russian received the status of "champion on vacation", and the belt passed to the boxer from Cuba Yunier Dortikos, who lost it in a fight with Murat Gassiev. Denis said that later he would definitely meet with the winner of the WBSS and try to regain the lost title.

Personal life

Denis took place both as a boxer and as a family man. While still in high school, the athlete met his future wife Anna. The woman went through all the difficulties of life with her husband, remaining the main support and reliable support. My wife is fond of music, but she has learned to understand boxing, knows all the rules of fighting.Lebedev has three daughters, and the man also pays attention to his nephew Danil, whose father (the boxer's brother) passed away early. The athlete admits that since childhood he dreamed of a big family, having a great example before his eyes – his father Alexander Lebedev is the 12th child of his parents. Denis admits that he would hardly dare to have such a number of children, but he will not give up 5-6 heirs.

Denis Lebedev now

In March 2019, Denis Lebedev and Alexander Usyk were to fight. However, he snapped. The Ukrainian absolute champion announced that he is moving to heavyweight.And already in July Lebedev announced the end of his professional career. However, a few months later, the boxer changed his mind and returned to the ring. In December, he had a fight against Tabiso Mchunu from South Africa.The duel was intense. Alternately, Lebedev and Mchunu dominated the ring. By the middle of the fight, the South African had studied the tactics of the Russian and began to control the duel. Only on the 12th round Denis was able to prove himself and carry out a clear attack. But it didn 't help – the fight ended with Tabiso 's victory with the score 120:107, 119:108, 115:112.After this fight Denis Lebedev finally decided to end his career:

"We must give in to the young. There are still many things to do in life. I did what I could, I tried. I probably won't continue my career. What's the point? Tabiso I should have won, but I didn't. What to say next? Nothing. Revenge? Well, that's ridiculous. You can, but why make people laugh. Boxing is in my blood for life. I'll find something else to do."

On October 1, 2020, the premiere of the film "Life after Sports" took place on the Match TV channel, which tells about Lebedev's sports biography. Filming took place in the boxer's homeland in Stary Oskol and Chekhov, where he lives now.

Progress

1998 - bronze medal at the Goodwill Games

2001 - title of champion of Russia

2004 - vacant title of champion of Russia

2009 - vacant WBO Intercontinental Champion title

2001-2017 - 8 WBA World Super Champion title defenses

2011 - WBA Interim World Champion

title 2012-2013 – WBA World champion in the first heavyweight