Denis Lebedev defeats Mark Flanagan to defend WBA cruiserweight belt
10/07/2017 07:39
WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (30-2, 22 KOs) defeated Australia's Mark Flanagan (22-4, 15 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision on Sunday night at the DIVS in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Lebedev floored Flanagan in the ninth round on the way to retaining his title by scores of 119-108, 119-108 and 120-107.
The Russian fighter was always in control, increasing his punch rate as the fight progressed, while Flanghan threw just enough punches to keep him in the contest.
Lebedev dropped the visitor with a hard left to the body in the ninth. But when Flanagan got up, Lebedev never pushed for the stoppage.
Lebedev lost the IBF belt to contryman Murat Gassiev by decision last December, but his WBA title wasn't at stake.