Denis Fuatovich Shafikov (, ; 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.

Early life and amateur career Born into a 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.Wainwright, Anson (2012). "Denis Shafikov: "I want to conquer the world as Djingis Khan did."". Max Boxing. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

Professional career Shafikov has been trained by Abel Sanchez since 2015.Kim, Steve (6 July 2015). "Abel Sanchez Has 'A Monster' in Denis Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 14 November 2017. 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. 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.Persson, Per Ake (23 September 2011). "Denis Shafikov Stops Giuseppe Lauri, Wins EBU Belt". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016. 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.Smallwood, Jimmy (25 February 2012). "Lee McAllister loses European title fight against Denis Shafikov". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 25 March 2016. The second was a rematch with Zamora on 31 May, which Shafikov won via unanimous decision."Shafikov wins rematch over Zamora" . fightnews.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

Shafikov vs. Vasquez 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.Donovan, Jake (22 February 2014) "Zou Shiming Wins By TKO, Vazquez Decisions Shafikov". BoxingScene. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

Shafikov vs. Barthelemy 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.Campbell, Brian (19 December 2015). "Rances Barthelemy beats Denis Shafikov via unanimous decision". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2016.

Shafikov vs. Herring Shafikov returned on 2 July 2016 in emphatic style, beating down and stopping undefeated lightweight prospect Jamel Herring in the tenth and final round.Collins, Nigel (3 July 2016). "Denis Shafikov defeats previously unbeaten Jamel Herring by TKO". ESPN. Retrieved 15 July 2016.

Shafikov vs. Easter Jr 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.Idec, Keith (July 1, 2017). "Easter Fends Off Shafikov, Wins Unanimous Decision to Keep Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 3 2017. The scorecards read 120-108, 120-108 and 116-112 in favour of Easter Jr.

Shafikov vs. Alvarado In his next bout, Shafikov faced Rene Alvarado, who was ranked #10 by the WBA at super featherweight. Shafikov lost the fight via split decision.

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.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes46DrawGaybatulla GadzhialievMD109 Feb 201945Win40–4–1Jhon GeminoUD1021 Jul 201844Win39–4–1Hector Ruben Ambriz SuarezUD86 Jun 201843Loss38–4–1René AlvaradoSD109 Dec 201742Loss38–3–1Robert Easter Jr.UD1230 Jun 201741Win38–2–1Richard Commey127 Dec 201640Win37–2–1Jamel HerringTKO10 (10), 2 Jul 201639Loss36–2–1Rances BarthelemyUD1218 Dec 201538Win36–1–1Roy MukhlisTKO3 (10), 17 Jul 201537Win35–1–1Miguel Angel MendozaUD813 Dec 201436Win34–1–1Rustam NugaevTKO9 (12), 15 Aug 201435Loss33–1–1Miguel VázquezUD1222 Feb 201434Win33–0–1Santos BenavidesTKO7 (10), 17 Aug 201333Win32–0–1Alisher Rahimov11 (12), 16 Mar 201332Win31–0–1Albert MensahUD121 Dec 201231Win30–0–1James OnyangoUD818 Sep 201230Win29–0–1Brunet ZamoraUD1231 May 201229Win28–0–1Lee McAllisterRTD8 (12), 25 Feb 201228Win27–0–1Giuseppe LauriRTD8 (12), 23 Sep 201127Win26–0–1Nugzar MargvelashviliTKO5 (8), 4 Mar 201126Draw25–0–1Brunet Zamora1229 Oct 201025Win25–0Peter SemoUD84 Sep 201024Win24–0Leonardo ResendizRTD6 (8), 22 Jul 201023Win23–0Bobir NormatovKO1 (8), 30 Jun 201022Win22–0Fernando TrejoUD1224 Oct 200921Win21–0Aliaksei VolchanTKO2 (10), 25 Sep 200920Win20–0John Cotterill, Jr.TKO1 (8), 30 May 200919Win19–0Juan Carlos RodriguezUD818 Apr 200918Win18–0Decho KokietgymTKO2 (8), 14 Feb 200917Win17–0Raul Horacio Balbi6 (8), 28 Nov 200816Win16–0Andrzej SarkTKO2 (8), 30 Aug 200815Win15–0Shawn GallegosUD1018 Apr 200814Win13–1Sergejs SavrinovicsRTD3 (8), 1 Feb 200813Win13–0Alexander SaltykovKO4 (10)20 Dec 200712Win12–0Nizar BoubakerTKO2 (8), 22 Oct 200711Win11–0Cristian FriasUD818 May 200710Win10–0Vitaly OlkhovikTKO2 (6)17 Nov 20069Win9–0Alexander Saltykov7 (8), 21 Jul 20068Win8–0Leonti VorontsukUD418 Dec 20057Win7–0Andrei Sherel2 (6)11 May 20056Win6–0Pavel MelnikovUD811 Feb 20055Win5–0Uladzimir Narushevich1 (6)9 Dec 20044Win4–0Filip BystrikovUD616 Jun 20043Win3–0Leonti VorontsukUD415 May 20042Win2–0Vadzim AstapukUD425 Feb 20041Win1–0Pavel Lyakhov430 Nov 2003

References

External links

at Top Rank (archived) Denis Shafikov - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live