By Alexey Sukachev, photos by Evgueny Solodov
Weights are in for the “Battle of two Empires”, which will be held tomorrow at “Dynamo” Arena in Krylatskoye, Moscow, Russia. Six bouts will be conducted with Roy Jones Jr. and Denis Lebedev being in the headline position of the show.
Headliner: 12 rounds at cruiserweight limit
Denis Lebedev (21-1, 16 KOs) – 200 pounds
Roy Jones Jr. (54-7, 41 KOs) – 198.5 pounds
Russian Lebedev is ranked #1 by the WBO and #4 by the Ring. Roy Jones Jr. is a former multi-champion in four different weight classes.
Undercard:
1. 10 rounds at super bantamweight limit
Alexander Bakhtin (26-0, 11 KOs) – 121.8
Jose Angel Berranza (33-19-2, 26 KOs) – 121.6
Mexican Berranza is a late sub for Medgoen Singsurat (Thailand) and Leon Moore. Russian Bakhtin is ranked #5 by the IBF at 118 lbs and #7 by the WBC at 122 lbs.
2. 10 rounds for the WBC super featherweight Youth Intercontinental interim title
Yaundale Evans (13-0, 9 KOs) – 129.3
Ruslan Berchuk (4-2, 1 KO) – 130.5
American Evans will be the only contestant for the title (full version will be awarded to a winner of the fight between Jose Manuel Osorio and Alexander Monterrosa on June 18) as Ruslan Berchuk is already 24 years of age. He is also a little bit overweight but Team Evans agreed to let the fight go on.
3. 10 rounds at light heavyweight division
Ismayl Sillakh (15-0, 12 KOs) – 179.2
Hamza Wandera (12-2-2, 11 KOs) – 173.4
The fight between California-based Ukrainian Sillakh (WBC #6 and IBF #14) and Kenyan Wander is a non-title affair.
4. 8 rounds at welterweight division
Nate Campbell (33-8-1, 25 KOs) – 145.4
Sherzod Nazarov (12-4, 10 KOs) – 142.8
5. 6 rounds at light heavyweight division
Sergey Ekimov (4-0, 2 KOs) – 174.3
Khaibula Madzhidov (4-5, 2 KOs) – 177.2
Fights are starting at 3:40 PM LT from the last listed bout. The televised section of the show starts at 5:05 PM and will be televised live by Russia 2 TV channel. Promoters are Vladimir Hryunov and Square Ring Promotions (John Wirt).