Russian boxer Denis Lebedev announced the end of his professional career. According to him, the sport takes him too much free time, which he would like to devote to his family.

“It's time to part with a great sport. As a real man, husband and father, I have to concentrate on my large family and try to pay as much attention to my relatives as possible. But life does not stand still, and together with you we will do great and small good deeds for our country, for our young people. After all, this is also my family. And we will succeed! ”, - wrote an athlete in Instagram.

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Publication by Denis Lebedev (@denislebedev_official) 11 Jul 2019 at 3:59 PDT

Lebedev's last fight took place in November 2018. Then he defeated American Mike Wilson. In late June, it became known that the Russian team and the regular champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Arsen Gulamiryan reached an agreement to hold a title match. However, in early July, manager Vadim Kornilov announced the cancellation of the meeting.

In a conversation with RT, Lebedev explained that one of the main reasons for the termination of professional activity was the lack of profitable financial proposals.

“I was waiting for an interesting financial proposal, but it was not received. I have a big family, I also need to think about her condition. Besides boxing, I have another life. Therefore, such a decision was made. The fact is that in August I turn 40 years old. And many consider me a complete project, so they don’t want to pay money. And I'm not going to expose my head for free. There are people who would do this, but I have someone to take care of, ”said the boxer.

In addition, it was reported that Alexander Usik, the absolute world champion in the first heavyweight, could become his next rival, but the Ukrainian decided to move to the heavyweight category. Briton Lawrence Okoli was also named as another potential opponent. However, his promoter Eddie Hearn said that the Russian demanded too high a fee. According to Lebedev, this is not true.

“After Usyka Okoli appeared, with whom we could not agree. Hearn wrote that, they say, I wanted a multi-million dollar contract, but this is all a play on words. It was not even about one million. But he refused to pay even the amount I requested, ”he stressed.

Lebedev is one of the most successful Russian boxers of our time. He has 32 victories with two defeats.

After success at the amateur level in 2001, the Russian decided to go to professional boxing. In the first fight in the light heavyweight, he beat Georgian representative Taimuraz Kekalidze. Then the triumphal period of 21 victories followed, for which Lebedev managed not only to change the weight category, but also temporarily leave the sport.

In 2010, he suffered his first defeat in the championship fight for the title of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), losing to German Marco Hook. However, a month later, the Russian secured a temporary WBA belt, which he confirmed in 2013 and then defended three times.

In December 2016, Lebedev defeated the champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Viktor Ramirez in the unification bout. However, he soon gave up this belt to compatriot Murat Gassiev.

At the same time, Lebedev considers his victories over two legendary boxers, Americans Roy Jones and James Toney, to be his main achievements in his career.

“The most memorable moments of a career? Victory over Roy Jones and Jason Toney. In fact, I remember everything. It is only said that boxers have a broken head. And we are the smartest people who have to constantly think and quickly make decisions, ”the Russian noted.

At the same time, the Russian did not disclose his plans for the near future.

“There is nothing definite. If it does, I will not report it yet, ”Lebedev admitted.

“It has been proven to everyone for a long time”

The news of the end of his career Lebedev did not become a sensation in the world of boxing. His manager admitted that he had long advised his client to hang the gloves on a nail.

“The only thing I can not interfere in this is strongly - the person himself must make a decision. But I can advise, and I advised. Lebedev has long since proven himself and everyone to everything in big-time sports. There is no point in continuing - it’s not necessary to remain in the sport all your life. To finish on time is the right story. He is definitely one of the coolest fighters in the world. What else is needed? "- quotes the words of Kornilov Sport24.

At the same time, according to the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, if Lebedev had remained in the sport, he would have had a chance to win new victories.

“Now I wish him success in his further endeavors, greater interaction with the federation, upbringing of future generations of boxers. And we are always there to help him. Denis is our champion, who glorified the country with his beautiful bright victories, ”said the functionary.

A similar position was expressed by the former world champion Nikolai Valuev.

“Whether this decision is timely - not everything around decides, but the boxer himself. And if Denis accepts him, then it makes no sense to discuss it - as if something will change from this. It is always necessary to leave on time, because otherwise it is associated with the loss of health, image and much more. Lebedev, in my opinion, had a wonderful career, he was a world champion. And he achieved everything he could, ”RIA Novosti quotes Valuev.

According to the 2008 Olympic champion Rakhim Chakhkiev, over the almost 20-year career in professional boxing, Lebedev managed to realize his full potential.

“Denis has good physique, he is a strong and powerful boxer and has performed at a high level for many years, having spent many serious fights. He is a great athlete with fighting qualities and spirit, with a strong character. Technique he may have been imperfect, but he is a good fighter, ”Chakhkiev is sure.