Denis Shafikov might not be a household name in the boxing community here in the States, but he is looking to change that, and soon. This man from Russia has amassed a record of 31-0-1 with 17 KOs, and has been a force to be reckoned with, fighting mainly in Russia and Finland, and holding many titles in the light welterweight division.

But lately he has been training at Wild Card with Ernie Zavala and Marvin Somodio, and recognizes fighting here will be different.

“The biggest impression that I’ve received in comparison to the guys that I’ve fought and sparred in Europe and the guys that I’ve sparred here is that the boxing is a lot more aggressive out here. They’re tougher guys, and they’re stronger. The guys are more tactical. That’s probably the biggest difference that I’ve seen.”

That difference is not something that really bothers Shafikov, however. “I’m not sure if I would necessarily change things,” he said. “My style is to fight aggressively as well. I’ve got a new trainer now and we’re still getting to know each other, but the best that I can do is what I’ve been doing – seeing all sorts of different guys in the ring and continuing to figure out what’s going on while I’m in the ring. So I think it’s just more of a wait and see approach then actually changing things up.”

Besides working with trainers Zavala and Somodio, Denis has been sparring with the likes of Ruslan Provodnikov and Frankie Gomez. He has a bout scheduled on March 16 in Russia, and after that fight he intends on continuing a career in the States. Also, he plans on dropping down one weight class.

“Naturally, I’ve always been just a couple of pounds over my fighting weight,” he explained. “and the guys that I would fight in Europe were my size. But as I was fighting more world class guys, including the guy that I fought in my last fight, I realized that I’m too small for 140. It wouldn’t hurt me too much to actually start losing a little weight right before my fight.

“So really it’s just kind of been an evolution of things. I didn’t really ever have to cut weight and fight at a lower class, but now that I realize that, because of their size, the other guys are going to be tough to wear down and knock out. I think I can win fights on decisions, but in order to be able to wear guys down, I’m better off fighting guys my own size.”

One of the fighters Shafikov has on his radar is Adrien Broner, and he explained why. “Well, I came out here to the States and everybody seemed to be talking about him. He’s all over TV and he seems to be the next big thing. He is a world champion in the weight class that I’m getting into.

“Every boxer’s dream is to become a world champion, and every boxer’s dream, assuming they have the right desires, is to knock off the top guys in that weight division. If he’s the top guy, than that’s why. It has nothing to do with him personally, but everyone’s saying that he’s the one, and I think I’m the one, and the only way to be the one is to beat the best.

“But if the opportunity is there to fight in the States against whoever it may be, then I’m ready to do that,” he continued. “That is the plan; the fight March 16 in Russia was already set up, and it was specifically set up against a guy who is just about the only other very good fighter at 135. So the plan is to beat him and leave no doubts to anybody in that region, and then come out here and fight in the United States no matter who it’s against.”

Denis will not move out here, just come over here and train. He has a wife and two children in Russia. He’ll still be based in there but come out here for training camp. He is used to doing that. His last training camp was in Mexico, and before that, Finland. So he’s used to leaving and spending a couple of months somewhere else to prepare for a bout.

Shafikov has a promoter in Russia, Ural Boxing Promotions, and a manager, Oleg Bogdanov. Oleg has been his manager since he started. Out here in the States Steve Bash helps him out as an advisor, as well as working for Denis and his promoter.

“I’ve always viewed the States as the center of the boxing universe,” Denis said. “I’ve gotten to the point where I realize that it’s certainly worthy and important for me to fight out here. That’s why I’m here.”

Keep an eye out for Denis Shafikov. He just might bring some exciting new blood to the lightweight division, and who knows? He may just get his shot at Broner along the way.

Thanks to Denis and to Steve Bash for doing the translations.


Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.