By Andrey Bazdrev and Vladimir Begun Jr. (Allboxing.ru)

As BoxingScene has recently reported, unbeaten Russian light welterweight force Denis Shafikov (26-0-1, 15 KOs) was once again sidelined by the Italian veteran Guiseppe Lauri (51-7, 31 KOs). Both fighters were chosen to take part in a clash for a vacant European 140lb title but the fight was a hard luck as it was re-scheduled four times in a row, according to Shafikov’s management. The last time this unlucky collision was cancelled before June 18, which means both teams have been struggling for more than three months to conduct a proposed battle. Shafikov’s manager Oleg Bogdanov talked to Andrey Bazdrev of PBFR and Allboxing’s Vladimir Begun Jr. regarding his feelings and Denis’ plans for the future.

“The fight, we are talking about, has become a soap opera with continuous cancellations and withdrawals from our rivals. The Italian party had won a right to promote this match-up, so they should have conducted the bout. We had been easily negotiated the first time and instantly agreed to sign a proposed contract. However, they kept re-scheduling the fight citing economical reasons. Finally, OPI 2000 has realized that by constantly moving the date of the collision they not only spoil our training camp but they also hinder their own protégé’s preparations. What did they do next? They decided to cancel the fight again and to re-schedule it once again. Certainly, it hasn’t gone well with the EBU. The European Boxing Union fined OPI 2000 and prevented them from taking part in the next purse bid, which was the right thing to do”, commented Bogdanov.

“We are targeting at Giuseppe Lauri and his handlers no matter what. We are going to fight them and to defeat them, to win a prestigious belt, so Denis will have various ways to re-build and to improve his career after that. Shafikov has an offer from Frank Warren, but it doesn’t look particularly interesting. Other promotional companies, interested in Denis, are Saul Alvarez’s Canelo Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Incidentally, Denis fought and beat several Mexicans who were linked to Canelo Alvarez. They proposed us a fight on July 16 in Guadalajara but that was not an option as we are aiming at the EBU title now. Money is small there, but both Mexicans and Golden Boy Promotions offer us no less than four fights a year”.

“If Denis wins the title, we shall conduct an optional defense somewhere in autumn and then fight our obligatory challenger at the end of the year. By defending the blue belt Shafikov will have a chance to rise in the WBC rankings, which will allow him to get closer to a world title shot in a year or two”, reflected Bogdanov.

Now Shafikov’s current promoter P3 Boxing will get a chance to stage his next fight against the Italian. Most probably it will land somewhere in Finland or in England at the beginning of August.

“The first time we weren't even training the way we should. We anticipated a time shift and we were ready for it. Our friends in Italy informed us that there were no advertisements, while a proposed arena was penciled for entirely different activity. We have realized that there would be no fight. Deep in my heart I know that they are afraid of us. Even Italian television chose not to pick up the rights to televise it because they know who will be the winner”.