By Yuri Tarantin

According to promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing, WBA/IBF cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (29-2, 22 KOs) will be making his mandatory defense against challenger Murat Gassiev (23-0, 17 KOs) in late November or early December. The fight will take place at a venue to be determined in Russia.

"We will fight Denis with Gassiev in late November, early December in Russia. The specific location I can't say of yet," said Ryabinsky.

Lebedev has two mandatory obligations on the table. Under the World Boxing Association (WBA), Lebedev had a mandatory with WBA 'regular' champion Beibut Shumenov, but Shumenov is not exactly pushing the issue, according to Lebedev's camp members.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) issued an order which directed Lebedev and unbeaten Murat Gassiev to begin negotiations for a mandatory showdown. The sanctioning had given both sides until July 3 to reach a deal, and the deal was reached.

Gassiev's Russian promoter is Alexey Vasiliev. Gassiev is advised by Al Haymon and fighters under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, as does Shumenov.

The matchup would also create a classic duel between trainers. Lebedev is handled by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, and Gassiev is trained by Abel Sanchez, who is currently best known as the head coach for Gennady Golovkin.

Earlier this year, Lebedev pulled out one of his most impressive victories with a two round destruction of Victor Emilio Ramirez to unify the WBA/IBF world titles before a frenzied crowd in Moscow, Russia.

The victory raised the 36-year-old's record to 29 wins (22 by knockout) and two defeats. Gassiev is one of Russia's most promising up and coming boxers. In his last fight, he had a very scary knockout of Jordan Shimmell. The 22-year-old Gassiev is promoted by Warriors Boxing in the United States.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru