By Alexey Sukachev
As has been previously reported by BoxingScene.com, 29-year old former world title challenger Denis “Genghis Khan” Shafikov (34-1-1, 19 KOs) will make a return to the ring on Dec. 13 in the undercard of an important HBO-televised tripleheader (Timothy Bradley vs. Diego Gabriel Chavez, Andy Lee vs. Matvey Korobov, Jose Benavidez vs. Mauricio Herrera), which takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Opposing Shafikov will be Mexican knockout artist Miguel Angel Mendoza (21-4-2, 21 KOs) – and the fighters will collide in a scheduled eight-rounder. Mendoza is coming off two back-to-back losses to ex-Boxcino participants Miguel Angel Gonzalez (as a part of the show) and Fedor Papazov (via TKO 3 in June).
IBF #1 rated lightweight Shafikov is in hot pursuit of reigning IBF champion Mickey Bey. Shafikov has won the IBF 135lb title eliminator against fellow countryman Rustam Nugaev in August this year. He is now looking at the champion as both sides have until January 14 to agree upon terms regarding an occasional IBF championship.
