By Yuri Tarantin
The battle for the vacant IBF lightweight championship between Rances Barthelemy (23-0, 13KOs) and Denis Shafikov (36-1-1, 20KOs) is heading to a Premier Boxing Champions card in the fall, according to Alexey Vasiliev of Urlal Boxing Promotions, who co-promote Shafiov with Top Rank. Barthelemy is advised by Al Haymon.
Shafikov became the mandatory challenger to champion Mickey Bey, who vacated the belt several weeks. The sanctioning organization then ordered Barthelemy and Shafikov to fight each other for the vacant belt.
Barthelemy was going to make a run in the junior welterweight division, but moves back down to 135-pounds to face Shafikov for the title.
"The contract is not yet signed yet. The fight will take place on Al Haymon's show. Denis has already left for the United States, where he began basic training for the fight. The most likely venue for the fight is in Las Vegas," Vasiliev said.
Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru.