Undefeated Cuban Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs) and Russia’s Denis Shafikov (36-1-1, 19 KOs) will fight for a lightweight world title on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike Friday, December 18 from the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will see cruiserweight world champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs) in a matchup with former world cruiserweight world champion Krzyzstof Wlodarczyk (49-3-1, 35 KOs). Also featured on the telecast is 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.
“On December 18 I’m going to make history by adding another world title to my collection,” said Barthelemy. “Shafikov is a very tough opponent and at this level everyone is dangerous. I’m taking this fight very seriously and the boxing world will take notice of my presence in the ring. Fans love to see action and that’s what I bring to every fight. I’m going to send a stern message to the world of boxing that I’m one of the best in the sport.”
“I’ve been preparing my whole life for this fight and to become a world champion,” said Shafikov. “This is my second world title fight and while I have a great deal of respect for Barthelemy, I will be victorious on December 18. My trainer Abel Sanchez and I have been working hard for the past couple of months and we will have a great game plan on fight night.”
“I am happy to get back in the ring again because I want to fight all of the best fighters in the cruiserweight division,” said Shumenov. “I would like to stay more active because I’m still developing. I am curious to see my progression and how I will do against the best cruiserweights.”
“I’m very excited to be fighting a well-known opponent in Las Vegas,” said Wlodarczyk. “Shumenov is a tricky guy, but he has no heart. He tried to run from the action in his last fight. I do not like to fight guys who run but if I want to fight the best I have to destroy this chicken and I will do it.”
“It’s a great pleasure to be promoting two world title fights on this outstanding night of boxing on Spike from Palms Casino Resort,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “In addition, Mayweather Promotions’ rising stars Chris Pearson and Gervonta Davis will enter the ring looking to remain unbeaten and get another step closer to a world title. It’s going to be a can’t-miss night of action.”
“We look forward to having Spike and Mayweather Promotions back to The Pearl for a night of action-packed bouts,” said Billy Conn, Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events at Palms Casino Resort.
A Cuban amateur national champion, the 29-year-old Barthelemy has yet to taste defeat since turning pro in 2009. Born in Cuba but now fighting out of Las Vegas, he won a super featherweight world title in July of last year by defeating Argenis Mendez in impressive fashion and followed that up with a second round TKO over Angino Perez. Most recently, he defeated former world champion Antonio DeMarco in convincing fashion in a PBC main event in June.
Having fought in eight countries throughout his pro career, the 30-year-old Shafikov brings a full career of experiences with him into his second world title opportunity on December 18. Born in Miass, Russia, he enters this fight having won three in a row by taking down Rustam Nugaev, Miguel Mendoza and Roy Mukhlis.
A native of Shymkent, Kazakhstan fighting out of Las Vegas, Shumenov looks to build on his last fight, which saw him earn a cruiserweight crown by defeating B.J. Flores in July. The 32-year-old won a world title at light heavyweight by defeating Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas in 2010. The 2004 Olympian for Kazakhstan went on to defend his title five times and will return to the scene of his latest triumph on December 18.
A two-time world champion in the cruiserweight division, Warsaw, Poland’s Wlodarczyk looks to win a world title for a third time in his career at cruiserweight. The 34-year-old owns world title-winning victories over Steve Cunningham and Giacobbe Fragomeni. In his last world title reign Wlodarczyk defended his belt six times, including victories over Danny Green, Rakhim Chakhkiyev and Francisco Palacios.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Pearson has impressed with strong victories over Steve Martinez, Said El Harrak, Lanardo Tyner and previously unbeaten Acacio Joao Ferreira in four fights before he defeated Janks Trotter in September. The 24-year-old looks to continue to rise within the junior middleweight division and cement his contender status on December 18.
A highly-regarded prospect who won the 2012 National Gloves championship, the 21-year-old Davis has already recorded four stoppage victories in 2015. Most recently, the Baltimore-native stopped former world champion Cristobal Cruz with a vicious combination in their October fight.
