Unbeaten IBF lightweight world champion Robert Easter (20-0, 14 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Denis Shafikov (38-3-1, 20 KOs) on Friday night at the half-full Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Easter faces a very rugged foe in Shafikov (38-2-1, 20 KOs), 32, of Russia, who is trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez. Shafikov is the former European junior welterweight champion and has twice boxed for lightweight world titles, losing unanimous decisions to Miguel Vazquez in Macau, China, in 2014 and Rances Barthelemy in Las Vegas in 2015.
Robert Easter Jr 134 vs. Denis Shafikov 134.5
(IBF lightweight title)
Unbeaten IBF lightweight world champion Robert Easter and top contender Denis Shafikov discussed their world title showdown with media Wednesday in advance of their bout that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce this Friday, June 30 from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.