By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has been advised that Richard Commey (24-1, 22KOs) and Denis Shafikov (37-2-1, 20KOs) will collide in an IBF final eliminator on the mid-week date of December 7th in Russia. The event will be promoted by Ural Boxing Promotions.
The winner of the contest will become the mandatory challenger to IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter.
The IBF held a purse bid earlier today, and Warriors Boxing (partners with Ural on Shafikov) secured the promotional rights with a bid of $61,000. Sauerland Event, on behalf of Commey, bid $45,300.
Shafikov has had two failed opportunities at the IBF world title. In 2014, he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Miguel Vazquez at the Coatai Arena in Macao, China. And last December he dropped a twelve round decision to Rances Barthelemy at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
He bounced back in July with a TKO victory over previously undefeated Jamel Herring. Shafikov is trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, who is best known for his work with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.
Commey punched his way through the ranks to secure a title shot last month. Last year he made his American debut in Las Vegas with a bruising stoppage over highly rated Bahodir Mamadjonov. He came back to the states on September 9, and went to war with Easter for the vacant IBF title. In one of the better fights of 2016, Commey lost a close twelve round split decision. A win over Shafikov will get him the rematch he's been demanding.
