Denis Shafikov: record, next fight and profile →
According to his manager, lightweight contender Denis Shafikov will be negotiating for his mandatory world title fight after February 10th. Earlier this month in Russia, Shafikov won a twelve round split decision over Richard Commey to become the mandatory challenger to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title.
Heavyweight: Alexander Povetkin’s failed drug test result scuttled a fight with Bermane Stiverne (who also tested positive for a PED on the way to their proposed fight). Stiverne’s test result was already excused. Povetkin has yet to be suspended. Until that is resolved, he remains rated for the time being. Several men near the top of the class were in action recently but none won against anyone they weren’t supposed to beat so the ratings remain as they were. Stiverne, despite being inactive for a year, remains rated as his recent cancellation was not his fault. Andy Ruiz enters the top ten off a strong showing in a loss to Joseph Parker, replacing Lucas Browne.
Although Richard Commey set a blistering pace -- his 1,241 total punches were the ninth most ever recorded by CompuBox at lightweight -- the split decision in Denis Shafikov's favor was reflective of the action. Commey bolted to the lead in the first five rounds by averaging 118 punches per round (nearly twice the 60.2 lightweight average) and out-landing Shafikov 93-78 overall and 78-73 power.
Top rated contender RICHARD COMMEY, (24-2-0, 22 KO’s) of Accra, Ghana, is leaving Moscow and heading home after suffering a hotly contested battle and controversial split decision loss to Russia’s DENIS SHAFIKOV, (38-2-1, 20 KO’s) today in their 12-round IBF Lightweight World Title Eliminator. Scores were 116-112 for Commey and 116-112, 115-113 for Shafikov.
Denis Shafikov can head into 2017 knowing that he will have a third shot at a lasting impression in the lightweight division. The hard-luck contender fended off a mid-rounds rally from Richard Commey to fight back and claim a 12-round split decision win Friday evening in Moscow, Russia. Commey came out ahead 116-112 on one card, but was overruled by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 in favor ofShafikov, who becomes the mandatory contender to newly crowned IBF lightweight titlist Robert Easter, Jr.
Richard Commey and Denis Shafikov easily made weight ahead of their lightweight title eliminator Friday evening at Tough Fight Gym in Moscow, Russia. Commey was just under the mark at 134.75 lbs., while Shafikov registered slightly lighter at 134.25 lbs. The winner will become the mandatory challenger to Robert Easter Jr., who edged out Commey to win the vacant title in a thriller this past September.
Former world title challenger RICHARD COMMEY, (24-1-0, 22 KO’s) of Accra, Ghana heads to Moscow, Russia on Friday, December 2, 2016 for a showdown with fellow former world title challenger DENIS SHAFIKOV, (37-2-1, 20 KO’s) facing off in a 12-round IBF Lightweight World Title Eliminator.
On December 2 in Moscow, an IBF mandatory final eliminator will take place between 31-year-old Russian contender Denis Shafikov (37-2, 20KO) and 29-year-old Richard Commey (24-1, 22KO) from Ghana.
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.
Currently the IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter is in a voluntary stage. On September 9th he captured the vacant title by winning a twelve round split decision in a very tough fight with previously undefeated Richard Commey (24-1, 22KOs) in Reading, Pennsylvania.