Contributor: Nolan Howell
In front of a small crowd in a cozy Tough Fight Gym in Moscow, Russia, Denis Shafikov and Richard Commey fought tooth and nail for tweleve rounds for the right to fight IBF lightweight titleholder Robert Easter Jr., who won the vacant title against Commey by split decision on a PBC card in September.
The fight was relatively even throughout. Commey was usually backed up against the ropes as the taller fighter and the 5’5″ Shafikov looked like a miniature Mike Tyson as he crouched behind his peek-a-boo guard and waded inside to throw looping hooks. Commey was able to catch him coming in or exiting the exchanges with straight punches, throwing in a lead left hook for good measure.
Pacing and power seemed to favor the Russian however as the exchanges against the ropes became more favorable for him as the fight went on into the later rounds. A couple of overhands nearly melted Commey as he would attempt to come off the ropes and his hand speed was understandably diminished as Shafikov kept coming forward.
Commey didn’t stand much of a chance in Russia and his chances weren’t helped by fighting defensively in comparison to the wildly aggressive Shafikov. However, Commey’s stock shouldn’t be hurt too badly and will likely find himself contending for a title in the next couple of fights if he maintains this form. Shafikov will go on to face Easter in what should be a brutally fun title fight.
This is a great scrap worth seeking out if you can find it completed. The Russian live stream cut out around the seventh or eighth round and showed the rainbow technical difficulties screen until the middle of the ninth. The pace was just as frantic as the broadcast returned.
This fight would be just as welcomed on a Saturday night main card as a mid-weekday event from Russia. Watch this if you can catch it.
-Nolan can be reached @undercardnolan or at [email protected]
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