By Alexey Sukachev

WBA cruiserweight champion in recess Denis Lebedev was once re-introduced to prizefighting by an old pal from the amateur days, named Alexander Povetkin.

It was almost ten years ago, when Lebedev ended his long four-year break from boxing activities and started his road back, which has finally culminated in winning and several defenses of the WBA's black belt.

Povetkin has always been a supporter for his fellow compatriot, visiting a majority of his ring appearances.

Time passed by, it’s now a moment in Povetkin’s career, where he is need of an equal support from his friends and team. That’s why Lebedev will be ringside for Alexander’s upcoming fight in person.

According to World of Boxing, accompanying Lebedev will be Russian actor Vladimir Sychev, a friend of both.

Povetkin’s next fight takes place on March 31 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where Russia’s only super heavyweight Olympic gold medalist will take on 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal holder David Price (22-4, 18 KOs) in an important heavyweight cross-roader.

WBA/WBO #1 ranked Povetkin (33-1, 23 KOs) will put his WBA Intercontinental and WBO International titles at stake in this fight, which is viewed as the final step before challenging the winner of the main event – a unification bout between Super WBA/IBF/IBO champion Anthony Joshua and WBO titlist Joseph Parker – sometime later this year.

Also scheduled for this card, former world champion Anthony Crolla will faces Edson Ramirez. Crolla is back in action following his win over three-weight king Ricky Burns in Manchester in October.

Ryan Burnett defends his WBA World Bantamweight crown against Yonfrez Parejo, Josh Kelly also goes for his first belt against former IBF World champion Carlos Molina for the WBA International Welterweight title and Welshman Joe Cordina fights for his first pro title with the WBA International Lightweight belt on the line against Andy Townend.