By Glynn Evans: There’ll be gunpowder in the air when Russia’s Denis Lebedev opens the defence of his World Boxing Association (WBA) ‘interim’ cruiserweight title against Barbados banger Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox at the Crocus City Hall, Myakinino on Wednesday (April 4th), live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
The words ‘rugged’ and ‘uncompromising’ appear to have been invented for the defending champion, a 5ft 11in southpaw blessed with a face only a mother could love yet, rather ironically, advertised as ‘The White Swan’?!
The 32 year old is, however, a natural born fighter who, following back to back scalpings of US legends Roy Jones Jnr and James ‘Lights Out’ Toney last year, shall be eager to strengthen his claim to be considered the most dangerous 200lb fighter on this planet.
With 15 stoppage wins in 17 outings (one loss), opponent Cox appears a rather curious choice to make a voluntary title defence against. The West Indian, also a portsider but prone to switching, enters with a two inch edge in height at 6ft 1in and is not without amateur pedigree, having twice reached the final of the Central America and Caribbean Games, striking gold in 2002. ‘The Sniper’ also featured at the Melbourne Olympics back in 2000, plus two Commonwealth Games and two Pan Am Championships.
Now 37, Cox had already turned 32 when first dipping his toes into the professional code in September 2007 but hasn’t been hanging around since. Each of his 15 inside schedule victims were executed within the first three rounds and anyone wishing to savour a flavour of his combustibility should tune into his one round, three knockdown trouncing of one time WBC king and former Enzo Maccarinelli victim Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite on You Tube.
That was his most recent gig, last February and was executed in Braithwaite’s hometown of Georgetown, Guyana. While Cox may not have confronted the stiffest opposition yet and there isn’t a great amount of disguise to his work, if he connects clean and early with his meaty left fist, things could suddenly get very interesting.
His solitary reverse, on points over 12 to then unbeaten (17-0) Italian Salvatore Erittu in Sardegna in December 2009, provided crucial experience of competing overseas and confirmed he has the lungs to last the full championship trip. Whether he has the punch resistance remains unknown.
His jaw will certainly undergo a thorough testing from Comrade Lebedev who has himself wiped out 17 of his 24 opponents ahead of schedule and in rather more taxing company.
Hailing from Chekhov, Lebedev entered the profession back in February 2001 and was crowned Russian light-heavyweight champion in just his third fight. He made steady progress thereafter, first surfacing to prominence in the UK in July 2009 when he defeated Swansea’s ex WBO king Enzo Maccarinelli in a three round mauling at Manchester’s MEN Arena. The Ruskie had previously featured at that venue 10 months earlier, bashing up Battersea fireman Nick Okoth inside two rounds.
The Maccarinelli massacre persuaded promoter Frank Warren to make an investment and three subsequent meaningful stoppages over Ali Ismailov (16-2-1, WRTD 6), Ignacio Esparza (16-1, RSF4) and, most notably, a one shot, second round icing of ex world amateur champion Alexander Alexeev (19-1, going in) secured Lebedev his first world title opportunity against WBO king Marco Huck in Berlin. He is commonly believed to have been robbed by the judges losing a 12 round split decision in December 2010.
Nevertheless, his stellar showing fashioned the openings against Jones Jnr, who he ironed out with just two seconds remaining of their scheduled ten rounder, and Toney against whom he collected his WBA ‘interim’ title by winning all 12 rounds on every judges card.
The Russian’s greater experience and technique, added to home court and youth, will see him enter as a clear favourite although the 8-1 odds against Cox seem excessively generous given his firepower. Either way, the shootout is unlikely to consume too much of your time but should certainly be worth a tune-in. All logic points towards Lebedev emerging with his hand raised and solidifying his claim for unification fights.
Coverage of Lebedev v Cox will start on Wednesday 4th April at 5pm on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
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Donyil Livingston looks to rebound from first professional loss
April 2, 2012 – This past weekend at the “War at Woodland Hills” card titled “Saturday Night Fever,” a shocking upset occurred when amateur standout and previously undefeated pro, Donyil Livingstion (8-1-1,4 KOs), suffered his first loss on a split decision to Elie Augustama (6-4, 3 KOs).
“There are no excuses on the loss,” Livingston said. “I was surprised by how awkward Augustama was and I didn’t have any tape on him so I wasn’t prepared for his unique style. He came to fight and he beat me fair and square. I think it’s time for a change so my goal is to start training with Virgil Hunter. He’s guided Andre Ward to greatness and I think it will be good for me to make the move. I’m going to rededicate myself to training harder and rebound from this setback. I’ll be back.”
Boxing360’s Mario Yagobi, who promotes Livingston stated, “Boxing is a very difficult sport to be successful at. Donyil was on a roll and he ran into a speed bump. I expect him to make the proper adjustments in his training and do whatever it takes to get back on top. My plan is to get him back in the ring before the summer and see where he stands. You always learn the most from a loss. Donyil is a good kid and I believe he’ll come back strong.”
SATURDAY BOXING FEVER was presented by Art Of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing, Boxing360, and the Espinoza Boxing Club and was sponsored by Pitbull Energy Drink and Energy Bar, Zeke’s Bail Bonds, Frog Environmental, Putasos Fight Gear, Hollywood Law Center, and Futurola The Dutch Rolling Company
DENNIS HASSON TO TAKE ON TANEAL GOYCO ON MAY 4TH
CHESTER, PA (March 30, 2012)—Undefeated Dennis “The Assassin” Hasson will risk his perfect mark when he takes on his toughest test when he squares off with Taneal Goyco in one of the co-featured bouts on Friday May 4th at Harrahs in Chester.
The show is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions.
In the main event, Tony Ferrante will take on Tommy Karpency will fight for the Pennsylvania State Light Heavyweight championship in a ten round bout.
Hasson of Philadelphia has a perfect record 13-0 with five knockouts.
Since coming off a one year Hiatus, Hasson has hooked up with new trainer and former world title challenger Dave Tiberi and his coming off two consecutive big knockouts when he stopped William Santiago in three and Eddie Caminero in two in a six week span with the Caminero win coming on March 17th
Goyco of Philadelphia has a record of 4-3 with two knockouts has faced top competition.
Goyco won his first three bouts and has a devastating first round knockout over Dennis Morris. Goyco has dropped two in a row which includes his last outing when he dropped a six round unanimous decision to highly regarded Derrick Webster (10-0) last October 28th. This will be Goyco’s third appearance at Harrahs in Chester.
In a six round Lightweight bout, Victor Vasquez (14-6-1, 7 KO’s) will take on an opponent to be announced in a six round bout.
In a six round Heavyweight rematch, Jamie Campbell (4-2, 2KO’s) of Ridley Park, PA will attempt to avenge a defeat to William Miranda (5-4-1) of Allentown, PA
Tyrone Crawley Jr. (1-0) of Philadelphia will fight take on a an opponent to be named in a four round Welterweight bout.
Joey Tiberi (7-1, 5 KO’s) of Newark, DE will take part in a four round Lightweight Bout against an opponent to be named.
Alex Barbosa (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Bantamweight bout.
Big Heavyweight John Mercurio (4-0, 3 KO’s) returns in a four round bout against an opponent to be named.
Tickets are now on sale for $100 (VIP); $65 (Ringside) and $45 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Chester Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on www.webtix.net