Lebedev beats Flanagan to defend cruiserweight title

FILE – WBA cruiserweight world champion Denis Lebedev and his coach Freddie Roach, back to a camera, celebrate their victory after beating IBF cruiserweight champion Victor Emilio Ramirez during their IBF and WBA Super World cruiserweight title fight in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, May 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

YEKATERINBURG, Russia — Russian boxer Denis Lebedev won by unanimous decision against Australia’s Mark Flanagan on Sunday to retain his WBA super world cruiserweight title.

Lebedev was in control of the fight throughout, dictating a slow pace and relying on his counterattacking skills. He knocked Flanagan down in the ninth round.

Lebedev’s successful voluntary defense saw him move to a 30-2 career record, with one no-contest, as he bounced back from defeat in December to fellow Russian Murad Gassiev. Lebedev lost the IBF version of the title to Gassiev on that occasion, but his WBA title wasn’t on the line.

Flanagan, who had never previously fought outside Australia, drops to 22-5.