Denis Lebedev is a Russian professional boxer playing in the first heavy weight category (up to 91 kilograms). The following titles can be distinguished from his sporting achievements: World Champion according to WBA (from 2012 to the present) and Champion according to IBF (2016).
Statistics of the Russian boxer Denis Lebedev
Denis's sports biography is represented by great victories and high titles. On his account only two defeats. And the total number of fights held totals 33 matches (22 by knockout victory). Among his rivals there are quite serious and eminent candidates, such as Briton Enzo Maccarinelli (fight for the title of intercontinental champion according to WBO), American James Toney (fight for temporary title of champion of WBO), Pole Pavel Kolodzey (4th Lebedev defense according to WBA), American Roy Jones and many others.
Childhood, family and acquaintance with sports
The biography of Denis Lebedev began in the city of Stary Oskol (Belgorod Region, Russia). He was born on August 14 in 1979. Here he first went to school, began to play sports. Teachers and coaches praised him for his hard work, determination and responsible approach to any business.
Denis Lebedev’s sports biography dates back to early childhood. He grew up in a sports family. His older brother and father were boxers. Despite this, in the first grade, Denis was given to the gymnastics section. The boy showed good results, inspiring the coaching staff with hope for his great sports future in this discipline. However, years later, the gymnastics section was closed. Lebedev (the youngest) had to say goodbye to this sport.
Without thinking twice, his father takes Denis to the boxing section, which the boy has repeatedly wanted to quit. And all because the sibling showed much better results. But, despite all the difficulties and hardships, the guy continued to struggle with his fears. He stayed in boxing to prove his worth to himself. Over the years, D. Lebedev gained experience, honed the technique of boxing art. Soon Denis began competitions of city and regional scale, where he almost always won prizes.
Being still an amateur boxer, our hero managed to get acquainted with Fedor Emelianenko himself, who periodically shared tips and sports instructions.
Denis Lebedev: biography, military service
Before the army, Denis already had a successful career at the international level. In 1997, he won the European Junior Championship, held in the English city of Birmingham. And a year later he won first place in the tournament "4 Goodwill Games" in New York.
Shortly after these events, the athlete was taken into the army. Many boxer fans and fans often wonder where Denis Lebedev served. The biography of the athlete indicates that the boxer served in CSKA (Central Army Sports Club). Such interest is caused by the fact that he often goes into the ring in army clothes (a sailor shirt and a blue beret). By the way, Lebedev did not delay boxing training in the service. There he was the main athlete of the division, for which he was always held in high esteem and respect.
A sports biography of Denis Lebedev in the army can be called amateur. He was often invited to performances and competitions between platoons. Soldier Lebedev was the undisputed leader in every fight. No one was able to defeat him.
Denis Lebedev’s biography in the service is full of small victories and universal recognition among the army sports community. After the demobilization, Denis signed a contract with the sports organization CSKA. His personal trainer was A.A. Lavrov. The first professional fight under the auspices of “CSKA” he held in 2001, his opponent was the Georgian boxer Teymuraz Kekalidze. Who turned out to be stronger? By a unanimous decision, the Russian boxer Denis Lebedev won.
Professional career
From 2001 to 2004 he performed in light heavyweight. During this period, the boxer had 13 victories and not a single defeat (there was no draw either). In the same period, Lebedev managed to become a two-time champion of Russia. In October 2004, the athlete publicly states that he is leaving the boxing world. However, the reason for such a decision is not indicated.
Nevertheless, the sports biography of Denis Lebedev does not end there. Boxer returns to the ring in 2008. He begins to perform in the 1st heavy weight category. After a four-year hiatus, the first rival of the Russian was the athlete from Georgia Archil Mezvrishvili, who accounted for 8 wins and 2 losses. For Denis Lebedev, boxers with such statistics are not at all a threat. Therefore, during the battle, he confidently won by knockout. A year later, the legendary battle took place against the Cuban Eliseo Castillo, who was defeated by knockout in the 5th round.
Denis Lebedev: biography and personal life
Despite constant training, departures and training camps, Denis retains the title of exemplary father and family man. He met his beloved wife Anna back in school years, when he did not have to dream about big victories and millions of royalties.
In difficult moments of life, when there was no money to support the family, his wife stayed close and kept love. For support and support Denis is grateful to her to this day. Anna has never been involved in sports. She has been playing music all her life. Despite this, Denis Lebedev’s wife is well versed in boxing and can sometimes help her husband with good advice. Together they raise three daughters, who also play sports. In general, the Lebedev family gives the impression of a friendly and close-knit team. Girls are proud of their father.
