By Yuri Tarantin

WBA/IBF cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (29-2, 22KOs) got more than he bargained for on a flight from Los Angeles to Moscow.

The plane was forced to land at the Iqaluit airport due to an unruly passenger. Local authorities arrested Sisak Khudaverdyan, 36, of Armenia after Aeroflot Flight 107 landed around 1 a.m, ET. The flight continued on its way, leaving Iqaluit at around 3:30 a.m. ET, and has since landed in Moscow.

He's been charged with endangering the safety of aircraft and mischief and causing a disturbance. He's also facing a charge of endangering passengers under the Aeronautics Act.

According to a news broadcast on cable network "Russia 1" - the passenger was acting in a threatening manner, shouting that he would kill everyone and refusing to follow instructions.

Several passengers volunteered to handle the situation, and one of those volunteers was Lebedev. But, the flight crew would not allow him to get physically involved.

Lebedev finished up his training camp for his mandatory defense against dangerous unbeaten challenger Murat Gassiev, which takes place on December 3 in Moscow. Lebedev vs. Gassiev creates 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 middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.

Earlier this year, Lebedev pulled off 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 22-year-old Gassiev, who is promoted by Warriors Boxing in the United States and advised by Al Haymon, has a record of 23 wins (17 by KO) and no losses.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru