By Allan Fox: Russian cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev (23-1, 17 KO’s) will continue with his string of facing overmatched opposition next month when he faces 37-year-old 2nd tier fighter Shawn Cox (16-1, 15 KO’s) for the interim WBA World cruiserweight title at the Crocus City Hall, in Myakrinino, Russia.

It’s difficult to say why the World Boxing Association allowed this fight to be for a the interim WBA title, as Cox isn’t even ranked in the top 15 by the WBA. Lebedev is ranked #1 WBA, but Cox isn’t anywhere to be seen in the top 15 rankings. Given that Lebedev has faced 43-year-old James Toney in his last fight and 43-year-old Roy Jones Jr. in his fight before that, shouldn’t the WBA at least make sure that Lebedev’s next opponent be a top 15 contender rather than another 2nd tier guy?

I’ve seen a few of Cox’s fights and discovered that he load sup on everything he throws and is pretty wild in there. He totally head hunts and seems to have excellent left hand power, but no defensive skills as far as I can tell and a very questionable chin. Cox was staggered by in his last fight against Wayne Braithwaite in the process of stopping him in the 1st round.

It was good that he stopped a past his best Braithwaite so quickly, but bad that Cox was staggered by the only good shot that Braithwaite landed in the fight. Against Lebedev, Cox isn’t going to be able to blow him away like he’s destroying the weak opposition he’s been in with and I have a feeling that Lebedev will be able to stop him with the first right hook he lands cleanly. This should be over really fast, but it’s a pity that a title will be involved. You’d like to see Lebedev facing more proven guys, preferably ones in the top tier.