Boxing: Barthelemy to Meet Shafikov for Lightweight Belt on Dec. 18

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Unbeaten Cuban defector Rances Barthelemy will look to add to his mantle of world titles when he next climbs through the ropes. Premier Boxing Champions announced late Thursday that “Kid Blast” will take on Russia’s Denis Shafikov for the vacant IBF lightweight title on Dec. 18.

The bout will headline a Premier Boxing Champions on Spike card, which will be held inside the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The telecast will air live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Barthelemy captured the IBF super featherweight title in 2014 and defended it once before moving up to 135 pounds. He last fought in June, when he edged former world champion Antonio DeMarco over 10 rounds in Vegas.

“On Dec. 18 I'm going to make history by adding another world title to my collection,” said Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs). “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.”

Shafikov (36-1-1, 19 KOs) fought for a world title once, but he came up short against Miguel Vazquez in February 2014, losing a 12-round unanimous decision for the same belt currently owned by Rances. Shafikov, who has won three straight since the only loss of his career, expects to reverse his fortunes in such contests.

“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 Dec. 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.”

Also on the card will be cruiserweight Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs) squaring off against Krzyzstof Wlodarczyk. Shumenov, a former WBA light heavyweight titlist, will look to inch closer to a legitimate cruiserweight championship against Wlodarczyk (49-3-1, 35 KOs), who lost his WBC cruiserweight crown to Grigory Drozd last September. He hasn’t fought since.

Rounding out the televised portion of the card will be junior middleweight Chris Pearson (13-0, 10 KOs) and lightweight Gervonta Davis (13-0, 12 KOs) in matches against opponents to be named.

Additionally, IBF super flyweight king McJoe Arroyo (17-0, 8 KOs) will defend his crown against former IBF junior flyweight champ John Riel Casimero (21-3, 13 KOs).