Unbeaten US hometown hero Robert Easter defends his International Boxing Federation lightweight crown Friday against Russian southpaw Denis Shafikov in Toledo, Ohio. Easter, 26, is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. He predicted a knockout victory over Shafikov, something no rival has ever inflicted.
"I have an advantage in reach, but Shafikov is a tough opponent who's coming to fight," Easter said Wednesday. "I'm going to show off my skills and be the first man to stop him." Shafikov, 32, is 38-2 with one draw and 20 knockouts. His only losses came in his two prior fights for the same crown, unanimous decision defeats at the hands of Mexico's Miguel Vazquez in 2014 and Cuba's Rances Barthelemy in 2015.
"I believe this is my time," Shafikov said. "It's my third title fight and this will be the time that I take home the belt and reach my dream. "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."
Easter makes the second defense of the crown he won with a split-decision victory last September over Richard Commey of Ghana. In his first defense, Easter won a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's Luis Cruz last February. "Where I come from, we don't play games, especially when it comes to somebody taking something from us," Easter said. "We're not going to let that happen."
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