Manager: Mickey Bey Will Have To Face Denis Shafikov

By Yuri Tarantin

Denis Shafikov (34-1-1, 19KOs) is focused on landing a mandatory shot at IBF lightweight champion Mickey Bey (21-1-1, 10KOs). Shafikov will have a stay-busy fight in December, according to the boxer's manager Oleg Bogdanov. Bey captured the title last month with a controversial twelve round split decision over longtime champion Miguel Vazquez of Mexico. Vazquez claims to have a rematch clause, but Shafikov's manager says a purse bid for their mandatory shot is looming for January 14th. 

"Denis is the mandatory challenger for the title, owned by American Mickey Bey. Bidding for the right to organize the fight must go ahead on January 14. We expect that Denis will enter the ring in December and will fight with an opponent similar to Bey. [Shafikov] will not to be idle," Bogdanov said.

Shafikov is co-promoted by Top Rank, while is Bey fights under the banner of Mayweather Promotions.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru