By Jim Dower: Russian southpaw Denis Lebedev (24-1, 18 KO’s) destroyed an over-matched Shawn Cox (16-2, 15 KO’s) in a 2nd round knockout on Wednesday night to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim cruiserweight title at the Crocus City Hall in Myakinino, Russia. Lebedev flattened Cox with a straight left hand that put Cox on the canvas where the fight was then halted.

Cox landed some big looping shots in the opening round, causing Lebdev’s nose to bleed. However, Lebedev landed some good jabs and left hands to stand his ground in the 1st. Cox did the better work in the 1st round, through.

In the 2nd round, Cox came out fast loading up on huge uppercuts that left him wide open for Lebedev’s shots. He connected with a big right hand to the head of Cox and then followed it up with combinations as Cox fought with his back against the ropes. Lebedev then landed a scorching left hand that put Cox down.

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In other action on the card:

Bakhtin defeats Cermeno

Undefeated super bantamweight contender, #4 WBA, #4 WBC, Alexander Bakhtin (29-0, 11 KO’s) defeated former former interim WBA World bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeno (20-5-1, 12 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision to win the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) International super bantamweight title. The final judges’ scores were 119-109, 117-111 and 119-109. Cermeno, 32, came into the fight having lost four out of his last six fights. Cermeno is known for having beaten Cristian Mijjares twice and for having given WBA World bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno a lot of problems in two fights that Cermeno lost by 12 round split decisions.

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Heavyweight Denis Bakhtov (34-7, 23 KO’s) defeated American Jonte Willis (8-3-1, 3 KO’s) by an 8 round spit decision.

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Junior middleweight Oleg Liseev (4-2, 2 KO’s) defeated Artur Akavov by an 8 round unanimous decision. Akavov was knocked to the canvas in the 4th and then later on in the fight he lost 1 point for holding in the 6th.

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Unbeaten lightweight Edouard Trojanovskij (10-0, 7 KO’s) defeated Yauheni Kruhlik by a 6 round unanimous decision.