Robert Easter vs. Denis Shafikov - Ordered By IBF To Reach Deal

[Ruthless-RKO]

Easter (19-0, 14 KO's) must face his mandatory challenger, Denis Shafikov, who is trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez.

The sanctioning body has ordered the two fighters to reach a deal or their bout will head to a purse bid.

"Robert Easter was notified on Monday that he has to start negotiations with Shafikov, they have thirty days," said Lindey Tucker, the Championship Chairman of the IBF, told BS.com. "If they don't reach an agreement by then we'll call for a purse bid."

And if this fight goes to a purse bid, the winner has a 90-day window to make the fight.

The two boxers have a very tough common opponent.

Shafikov earned the number one position in the IBF by narrowly defeating Richard Commey via split decision in Russia on December 2nd in what was an IBF eliminator. Easter, won his belt by beating Commey back on September 10th in what was another split nod that went against the Ghanian.

http://www.BS.com/robert-easte ... CE8YS.dpuf

[handsofstone]

Is their something in Shafikov's contract where it stipulates he must fight for the IBF Lightweight title at least once a year?

[crusader]

The IBF has a tendency to recycle challengers, but Shafikov has earned his shots in my opinion.....a good unbeaten run prior to Vasquez, a beat down of streaking Nugaev before Barth, and a thumping of Herring and deserved win over Commey going into this.