Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Retains Title with Hard Fought Victory over Top Contender Denis Shafikov

Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Retains Title with Hard Fought Victory over Top Contender Denis Shafikov in Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce Main Event Friday Night from the Huntington
Center 
in Toledo, Ohio

 

Super Welterweight Contender Julian Williams Stops Joshua Conley in Round Seven

&

Jamontay Clark Gets Decision Over Ivan Golub in Showdown of Welterweight Prospects

 

Click
HERE
for Photos from Heather Nearhoof/Premier Boxing Champions –
(Photos to be added shortly)

 

TOLEDO, OH.
(July 1, 2017) – Unbeaten lightweight world champion
Robert Easter (20-0, 14 KOs) successfully defended his title for the second time Friday night with a victory over top contender
Denis Shafikov (38-3, 20 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions
on Bounce from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.

 

“I’m thankful for my team preparing me for this victory,” said Easter. “I give my performance a B- tonight. I could have done a lot better. I fought on the inside more at the beginning of the fight
but my team wanted me to box so I was able to do that late and get the win.”

 

The 12-rounds of action were defined by both men having success when imposing their differing styles on each other. Easter had a height and reach advantage that allowed him to jab from the outside
in addition to the consistent success he had following up with right hands to Shafikov’s head.  

 

“I know a lot of guys’ weakness is their gas tank so I wanted to go after him and test him early,” said Easter. “Shafikov proved that’s he’s a tough opponent but we were able to get the job done.”

 

Shafikov was never deterred as he continued to press forward and as the fight went on he was able to increasingly frustrate Easter and land looping shots from awkward angles. He was especially fond
of a chopping right hand that was able to land while jockeying for position on the inside with Easter.

 

The fight ebbed and flowed for 12-rounds, with both men gaining control for moments before being forced to deal with adversity. Easter was given the unanimous decision and retained his belt, although
the judges scores of 120-108 twice and 116-112 did not capture the competitive nature of the contest.

 

“I thought that’d I’d be the first guy to be able to break Shafikov down,” said Easter. “I was able to get the win and I’m going to be ready for everybody out there.”

 

Additional televised action saw super welterweight contender
Julian Williams (23-1-1, 15 KOs) return to the ring with a seventh-round stoppage of
Joshua Conley (14-2-1, 9 KOs).

 

Williams was dominant from the start in his first outing since losing a world title fight against unbeaten Jermall Charlo in December. The Philadelphia-native pushed Conely to the ropes from the
start and began mixing in left hooks and uppercuts that damaged Conley.

 

Conley was able to land occasional power punches, but was never able to slow the attack from Williams. Early in round seven a left to the eye forced Conley to take a knee and try to recover.

 

Williams sensed his opportunity and quickly pounced on Conley, teeing off with power punches until Conley’s corner threw in the towel and forced the referee to stop the fight 58 second into the
round.

 

In the televised opener, welterweight prospects
Jamontay Clark (12-0, 7 KOs) and Ivan Golub (13-1, 11 KOs) battled for eight hard rounds before Clark emerged with a unanimous decision victory.

 

Clark came out early trying to use his height and reach advantage by jabbing and staying away from Golub, while also mixing in left hands. Golub started out slow in the first two rounds, trying
to establish a body attack while taking several hard punches from Clark.

 

Golub and Clark increasingly began to exchange power shots throughout the third and fourth rounds before Golub landed a powerful right hand that clearly shook Clark up late in the fourth. The Cincinnati-native
was able to recover and stay on his feet however and return to his corner without being knocked down.  

 

Golub continued to keep the pressure on as Clark regained his composure while spending most of the fifth round moving laterally away from Golub. The final rounds saw Clark returning to his boxing
fundamentals as he tried to keep the aggressive Golub at a distance with his jab. After eight rounds of action, the judges ringside saw the fight for Clark by the scores of 77-75 twice and 79-73.

Robert Easter vs. Denis Shafikov Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos

Robert Easter vs. Denis Shafikov Final Press Conference 

Quotes & Photos

 

Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce this Friday, June 30 from Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

Click
HERE
for Photos from De’Aris Ferguson/About Billions

 

TOLEDO, OH.
(June 28, 2017) – Unbeaten 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.

 

Televised coverage on Bounce begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features super welterweight contender
Julian Williams taking on once-beaten Joshua Conley. Both fighters were also in attendance Wednesday to discuss their 154-pound matchup.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $225 $125, $100, $75, $55 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be
purchased online by visiting
www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from the Huntingon Center:

 

ROBERT EASTER

 

“We’ve had a real tough camp. Every day I’ve been pushed by team and I thank them for that. They put me in the position that I need to be in.

 

“I understand that Shafikov is a really tough fighter. They’ve always said the guy in front of me is tough. I’m not here to talk about all the close fights he’s almost won. I will be the first man
to stop him.

 

“Where I come from, we don’t play games. Especially when it comes to somebody taking something from us. We’re not going to let that happen.

 

“I’m thankful for everyone that came out here and everyone who helped put this great card together. I’m just excited to get there in the ring and stand next to him.

 

“I have an advantage in reach, but Shafikov is a tough opponent who’s coming to fight. I’m going to show-off my skills and be the first to stop him.

 

“I just have to be me. If you’ve ever seen me fight, you can see that I always stay composed. You’ll see the same thing in the ring on Friday.

 

“When you get in that ring, it’s only me and him. These great fans can’t help me, only my fists. I’m focused on taking control of the fight. I know how to adjust and be a professional in there if
I have to.

 

“It’s been eight tough weeks of training camp and I can’t wait to have this beautiful city behind me. On June 30, it’ll be man down!”

 

DENIS SHAFIKOV

 

“I believe that this is my time. It’s my third title fight and this will be the time that I take home the belt and reach my dream.

 

“I give 100 percent every time I step into the ring. I know that this will be an exciting fight but I also know that I have to do whatever it takes to win the title.

 

“I’ve been able to bounce back after my last two title defeats and make myself a better fighter each time. You will see that on Friday night and I will be victorious.”

 

JULIAN WILLIAMS

 

“I appreciate everyone coming out to support the fight. This is really a great card. I watch Robert a lot on television and I can see that the fans here are really supporting him. I’m looking forward
to an excited crowd.

 

“Joshua Conley and myself will put on a really good fight, and I expect to come out on top and get back in that win column.

 

“I’m ready to challenge anybody in the division and I’m going to show that I’m back on the right track this Friday night.”

 

JOSHUA CONLEY

 

“I’ve put in the hard work during camp to get a big victory and put myself on the map in the 154-pound division.

 

“I know that I’m fighting a really good fighter. This is my opportunity and if I knock Julian Williams out, I’ll be right in the mix with the best super welterweights in the world

Rances Barthelemy Gives Training Camp Update

image

RANCES BARTHELEMY GIVES TRAINING CAMP UPDATE BEFORE
WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN AGAINST DENIS SHAFIKOV THAT HEADLINES
PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 FROM THE PEARL AT PALMS CASINO RESORT

LAS VEGAS (December 9, 2015)  Undefeated Cuban Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs) will look to win a world title in a second weight division when he headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike against Russia’s Denis Shafikov (36-1-1, 19 KOs) on Friday, December 18 from the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

PBC on Spike coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and features Detroit’s Isiah Thomas (15-0, 6 KOs) and Russia’s Murat “Iron” Gassiev (22-0, 16 KOs) in a 12-round cruiserweight bout, plus undefeated junior middleweight Chris “Young King” Pearson (13-0, 10 KOs) and rising unbeaten prospect Gervonta “Tank” Davis (13-0, 12 KOs) in separate attractions.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $100.50, and $25.50 plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Pearl Box Office at 702-994-3200.

As Barthelemy and his team put the finishing touches on their Las Vegas training camp, see what the exciting Cuban had to say about training, his opponent and more:

On training camp in Las Vegas:

“It’s been a smooth camp so far.  I’ve sparred 12 rounds with multiple sparring partners on a few different occasions.  I’m very sharp right now and my timing is right where I want it to be.  My weight is good and I’m ready to go the distance if I have too.” 

On his relationship with Coach Ismael Salas:

“Salas and I have a great relationship and together we are on the same page.  He knows what I like to do and he can see flaws in my opponents from the corner.  We have plan ‘A, B and C’ for this fight.   Salas is a great trainer.  We’ll be prepared for anything Shafikov brings to the ring.”

On his matchup with Denis Shafikov:

“This is a very difficult fight, one that I am fully prepared to win.  We are both southpaws so it will be very interesting to see how the fight plays out.  I’m going to fight my style and dictate the pace.  He throws a lot of punches in combinations, something I’ll have to be ready for.  This will not be a boring fight.  The fans can expect to see me throw a lot of big shots.”

 

On fighting for the lightweight world title:

“Capturing a world title at lightweight will be a great accomplishment for my career.  When an opportunity like this comes your way, you have to seize the moment to be great.  That’s what I plan to do against Shafikov.  The ultimate goal is to win as many world championships as possible in multiple weight classes.”

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