MOSCOW, December 18 (R-Sport) – Russian boxer Denis Lebedev defended his WBA cruiserweight title by defeating Santander Silgado with a fourth-round knockout.
Lebedev dominated Monday's bout in Moscow, systematically softening up the previously undefeated Colombian before sending him to the canvas with a crushing uppercut.
“The most important thing was not to hurry,” Lebedev said after the fight.
“I stuck to this plan. But closer to the third round I got a hint [from my corner] to explode the fight, to apply more pressure, and I used my uppercut right on time.”
It was a 19th career knockout for the Russian “Vityaz,” who goes to 25 wins from 26 bouts, with one defeat. Silgado, meanwhile, ends his run of 23 straight wins.
Lebedev, 33, is now aiming for his first fight outside Europe.
“The next stop is Madison Square Garden,” Lebedev’s agent Vladimir Hrunov said. “We are holding negotiations with Eddie Chambers.”
U.S. boxer Chambers, 30, holds a record of 36 wins and three losses, one of them in a 2010 challenge for Wladimir Klitschko's IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
Lebedev was awarded the WBA title in October when ex-champion Guillermo Jones pulled out of the fight for a second time against the Russian.
