Miguel Vazquez Faces Denis Shafikov in February?

By Anton Gorunov (vRINGe.com) and Alexey Sukachev

According to vRINGe.com, undefeated Russian lightweight Denis Shafikov (33-0-1, 18 KOs) is next in line for reigning IBF 135lb champion Miguel Vazquez (33-3, 13 KOs). The fight between two stylists can take place at the end of February in Macao, China.

Vazquez has been holding the IBF strap since August 2010, making five defenses against Ricardo Dominguez, Leo Zappavigna, Ammeth Diaz, Marvin Quintero and Mercito Gesta – all of them were defeated on points. Vazquez had been recently signed to face Diaz in a rematch of their first encounter, but the Panamanian withdrew, claiming tickets for them were booked by Team Vazquez way too late. Vazquez has yet to fight in 2013.

Denis “Genghis Khan” Shafikov is on a high roll with a streak of impressive wins. He acquired his EBU light welterweight title in September 2011, defended it twice in 2012, and then made a move to a lighter weight class, where he thinks his power will be felt well by his opponents. WBC/WBO #2 and IBF #4 Shafikov made his American debut this August, scoring a dominating seventh-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Santos Benavides. He was set to fight Mongolian Bayanmunkh Bayanjargal on Dec. 14 in Cagus, Puerto Rico, but obviously these plans were re-mastered.