Mark Flanagan has fallen short in his quest to become Australia's second current world boxing champion after going down to Denis Lebedev.
The Queenslander fought Lebedev for the WBA super world cruiserweight title in his native Russia but the defending champion scored a unanimous points decision to retain his 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 defence 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.
He was trying to emulate the feat of fellow Queenslander Jeff Horn who upset Manny Pacquiao to lift the WBO welterweight crown.
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