Denis Shafikov
Denis Fuatovich Shafikov (Russian: Денис Фуатович Шафиков, Bashkir: Шафиҡов Денис Фуат улы, romanized: Şafiqov Denis Fuat ulı; born 3 June 1985) is a Russian professional boxer. He held the European super-lightweight title from 2011 to 2013, and has challenged three times for the IBF lightweight title. In November 2017, Shafikov was ranked within the world's top ten active lightweights by The Ring magazine, the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and BoxRec.
| Denis Shafikov Денис Шафиков | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Shafikov in 2011 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Denis Fuatovich Shafikov |
| Nickname(s) | Genghis Khan |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Reach | 174 cm (69 in) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Born | 3 June 1985 Miass, Chelyabinsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 46 |
| Wins | 40 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
Early life and amateur career
Born into a Russian-Bashkir family, Shafikov did not immediately take a liking to boxing when trying out different sports in childhood. He nonetheless began his amateur boxing career at 13 years old, in which he had "about 90 amateur fights and lost only 6 of them." His decision to turn professional was based on wanting to earn money for his family, rather than medals.[1]
Professional career
Shafikov has been trained by Abel Sanchez since 2015.[2] He made his professional debut on 30 November 2003, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Pavel Lyakhov, who also debuted. For the next eleven years, Shafikov would remain undefeated while fighting mainly in Finland, having moved there in 2007.[1] On 29 October 2010, he fought to a majority draw against Brunet Zamora, with the regional WBA Inter-Continental light-welterweight title on the line. A year later, on 23 September 2011, Shafikov won his first major regional championship—the European light-welterweight title—by forcing veteran contender Giuseppe Lauri to retire in his corner.[3] Two successful defences of the title were made in 2012: the first was against Lee McAllister on 25 February, which ended in an eighth-round corner retirement.[4] The second was a rematch with Zamora on 31 May, which Shafikov won via unanimous decision.[5]
On 22 February 2014, Shafikov travelled to Macau to face IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vázquez. In what was described as a "lightweight title fight that completely sucked the air out of [the] venue" due to "clinching, headbutts and lots of other matters that don't quite reflect actual fighting", Vázquez went on to hand Shafikov his first professional loss in a lacklustre unanimous decision.[6] The following year, on 18 December, Shafikov received another opportunity to fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title, this time against Rances Barthelemy, but lost again via unanimous decision.[7] Shafikov returned on 2 July 2016 in emphatic style, beating down and stopping undefeated lightweight prospect Jamel Herring in the tenth and final round.[8] On 30 June 2017, in his third world title challenge, Shafikov lost a competitive unanimous decision against IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr., in a hard-hitting slugfest.[9]
Personal life
Despite his nickname of "Genghis Khan", Shafikov is of Bashkir rather than Mongol ethnicity. The nickname was given to him by his Finnish promoter Pekka Mäki, with Shafikov saying that he wants to "conquer the world as Genghis Khan did." His favourite boxers include Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.[1]
Professional boxing record
| 46 fights | 40 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 0 |
| By decision | 19 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Draw | 40–4–2 | Gaybatulla Gadzhialiev | MD | 10 | 9 Feb 2019 | Galaktika Culture Centre, Estosadok, Russia | |
| 45 | Win | 40–4–1 | Jhon Gemino | UD | 10 | 21 Jul 2018 | Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia | |
| 44 | Win | 39–4–1 | Hector Ruben Ambriz Suarez | UD | 8 | 6 Jun 2018 | Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 43 | Loss | 38–4–1 | Rene Alvarado | SD | 10 | 9 Dec 2017 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 42 | Loss | 38–3–1 | Robert Easter Jr. | UD | 12 | 30 Jun 2017 | Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, US | For IBF lightweight title |
| 41 | Win | 38–2–1 | Richard Commey | SD | 12 | 7 Dec 2016 | Tough Fight Gym, Moscow, Russia | |
| 40 | Win | 37–2–1 | Jamel Herring | TKO | 10 (10), 0:36 | 2 Jul 2016 | Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 39 | Loss | 36–2–1 | Rances Barthelemy | UD | 12 | 18 Dec 2015 | Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, US | For vacant IBF lightweight title |
| 38 | Win | 36–1–1 | Roy Mukhlis | TKO | 3 (10), 1:14 | 17 Jul 2015 | Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR | |
| 37 | Win | 35–1–1 | Miguel Angel Mendoza | UD | 8 | 13 Dec 2014 | Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 36 | Win | 34–1–1 | Rustam Nugaev | TKO | 9 (12), 1:16 | 15 Aug 2014 | Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, US | |
| 35 | Loss | 33–1–1 | Miguel Vázquez | UD | 12 | 22 Feb 2014 | Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR | For IBF lightweight title |
| 34 | Win | 33–0–1 | Santos Benavides | TKO | 7 (10), 0:10 | 17 Aug 2013 | Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, US | |
| 33 | Win | 32–0–1 | Alisher Rahimov | DQ | 11 (12), 2:24 | 16 Mar 2013 | Sports Palace "Znamya", Noginsk, Russia | Won WBC Baltic and vacant WBC–CISBB lightweight titles; Rahimov disqualified for repeated low blows |
| 32 | Win | 31–0–1 | Albert Mensah | UD | 12 | 1 Dec 2012 | Parque Andres Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Mexico | Won IBF International and vacant WBC Baltic light-welterweight titles |
| 31 | Win | 30–0–1 | James Onyango | UD | 8 | 18 Sep 2012 | Varshavka Sky, Moscow, Russia | |
| 30 | Win | 29–0–1 | Brunet Zamora | UD | 12 | 31 May 2012 | Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia | Retained European light-welterweight title |
| 29 | Win | 28–0–1 | Lee McAllister | RTD | 8 (12), 0:01 | 25 Feb 2012 | AECC, Aberdeen, Scotland | Retained European light-welterweight title |
| 28 | Win | 27–0–1 | Giuseppe Lauri | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | 23 Sep 2011 | Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland | Won vacant European light-welterweight title |
| 27 | Win | 26–0–1 | Nugzar Margvelashvili | TKO | 5 (8), 1:53 | 4 Mar 2011 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 26 | Draw | 25–0–1 | Brunet Zamora | MD | 12 | 29 Oct 2010 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | For WBA Inter-Continental light-welterweight title |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Peter Semo | UD | 8 | 4 Sep 2010 | Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Leonardo Resendiz | RTD | 6 (8), 3:00 | 22 Jul 2010 | Restaurant Orizzonte, Jūrmala, Latvia | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Bobir Normatov | KO | 1 (8), 1:05 | 30 Jun 2010 | Club "East-West", Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Fernando Trejo | UD | 12 | 24 Oct 2009 | Urheilutalo, Helsinki, Finland | Won vacant IBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Aliaksei Volchan | TKO | 2 (10), 1:26 | 25 Sep 2009 | Atmosphere Night Club, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | John Cotterill, Jr. | TKO | 1 (8), 2:00 | 30 May 2009 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Juan Carlos Rodriguez | UD | 8 | 18 Apr 2009 | Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Decho Kokietgym | TKO | 2 (8), 1:00 | 14 Feb 2009 | Pyynikin palloiluhalli, Tampere, Finland | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Raul Horacio Balbi | TD | 6 (8), 0:28 | 28 Nov 2008 | Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland | Unanimous TD after Balbi was cut from an accidental head clash |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Andrzej Sark | TKO | 2 (8), 2:15 | 30 Aug 2008 | LänsiAuto Areena, Tampere, Finland | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Shawn Gallegos | UD | 10 | 18 Apr 2008 | Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Sergejs Savrinovics | RTD | 3 (8), 3:00 | 1 Feb 2008 | Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Alexander Saltykov | KO | 4 (10) | 20 Dec 2007 | Favorit Gym, Vyborg, Russia | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Nizar Boubaker | TKO | 2 (8), 1:08 | 22 Oct 2007 | Töölö Sports Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Cristian Frias | UD | 8 | 18 May 2007 | Urheilutalo, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Vitaly Olkhovik | TKO | 2 (6) | 17 Nov 2006 | Zimniy Stadion, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Alexander Saltykov | RTD | 7 (8), 3:00 | 21 Jul 2006 | Vyborg Castle, Vyborg, Russia | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Leonti Vorontsuk | UD | 4 | 18 Dec 2005 | Central Culture Palace, Vyborg, Russia | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Andrei Sherel | KO | 2 (6) | 11 May 2005 | Minsk, Belarus | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Pavel Melnikov | UD | 8 | 11 Feb 2005 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Uladzimir Narushevich | TKO | 1 (6) | 9 Dec 2004 | Reaktor Club, Minsk, Belarus | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Filip Bystrikov | UD | 6 | 16 Jun 2004 | State Circus, Minsk, Belarus | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Leonti Vorontsuk | UD | 4 | 15 May 2004 | Parc Kronstadt, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Vadzim Astapuk | UD | 4 | 25 Feb 2004 | Reaktor Club, Minsk, Belarus | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Pavel Lyakhov | UD | 4 | 30 Nov 2003 | Vyborg, Russia |
References
- Wainwright, Anson (2012). "Denis Shafikov: "I want to conquer the world as Djingis Khan did."". Max Boxing. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- Kim, Steve (6 July 2015). "Abel Sanchez Has 'A Monster' in Denis Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- Persson, Per Ake (23 September 2011). "Denis Shafikov Stops Giuseppe Lauri, Wins EBU Belt". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- Smallwood, Jimmy (25 February 2012). "Lee McAllister loses European title fight against Denis Shafikov". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- "Shafikov wins rematch over Zamora" Archived 2016-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. fightnews.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- Donovan, Jake (22 February 2014) "Zou Shiming Wins By TKO, Vazquez Decisions Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- Campbell, Brian (19 December 2015). "Rances Barthelemy beats Denis Shafikov via unanimous decision". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- Collins, Nigel (3 July 2016). "Denis Shafikov defeats previously unbeaten Jamel Herring by TKO". ESPN. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Idec, Keith (July 1, 2017). "Easter Fends Off Shafikov, Wins Unanimous Decision to Keep Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 3 2017.
External links
- Boxing record for Denis Shafikov from BoxRec
- Denis Shafikov profile at Top Rank (archived)
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by Samuel Malinga |
IBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight champion 24 October 2009 – October 2010 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Chad Bennett | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Paul McCloskey |
European light-welterweight champion 23 September 2011 – March 2013 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Michele di Rocco | ||
| Preceded by Albert Mensah |
IBF International light-welterweight champion 1 December 2012 – 22 February 2014 Lost bid for world title |
Vacant Title next held by Martin Gethin | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Karen Tevosyan |
WBC Baltic light-welterweight champion 1 December 2012 – March 2013 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Aik Shakhnazaryan | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Arman Sargsyan |
WBC–CISBB lightweight champion 16 March 2013 – February 2014 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Elnur Samedov | ||
| Preceded by Alisher Rahimov |
WBC Baltic lightweight champion 16 March 2013 – November 2013 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Fedor Papazov | ||