Unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter and top contender Denis Shafikov discussed their world title showdown with media Wednesday in advance of their bout that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce this Friday, June 30 from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Televised coverage on Bounce begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features super welterweight contender Julian Williams taking on once-beaten Joshua Conley. Both fighters were also in attendance Wednesday to discuss their 154-pound matchup.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $225 $125, $100, $75, $55 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from the Huntingon Center:
ROBERT EASTER
“We’ve had a real tough camp. Every day I’ve been pushed by team and I thank them for that. They put me in the position that I need to be in.
“I understand that Shafikov is a really tough fighter. They’ve always said the guy in front of me is tough. I’m not here to talk about all the close fights he’s almost won. I will be the first man to stop him.
“Where I come from, we don’t play games. Especially when it comes to somebody taking something from us. We’re not going to let that happen.
“I’m thankful for everyone that came out here and everyone who helped put this great card together. I’m just excited to get there in the ring and stand next to him.
“I have an advantage in reach, but Shafikov is a tough opponent who’s coming to fight. I’m going to show-off my skills and be the first to stop him.
“I just have to be me. If you’ve ever seen me fight, you can see that I always stay composed. You’ll see the same thing in the ring on Friday.
“When you get in that ring, it’s only me and him. These great fans can’t help me, only my fists. I’m focused on taking control of the fight. I know how to adjust and be a professional in there if I have to.
“It’s been eight tough weeks of training camp and I can’t wait to have this beautiful city behind me. On June 30, it’ll be man down!”
DENIS SHAFIKOV
“I believe that this is my time. It’s my third title fight and this will be the time that I take home the belt and reach my dream.
“I give 100 percent every time I step into the ring. I know that this will be an exciting fight but I also know that 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.”
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I appreciate everyone coming out to support the fight. This is really a great card. I watch Robert a lot on television and I can see that the fans here are really supporting him. I’m looking forward to an excited crowd.
“Joshua Conley and myself will put on a really good fight, and I expect to come out on top and get back in that win column.
“I’m ready to challenge anybody in the division and I’m going to show that I’m back on the right track this Friday night.”
JOSHUA CONLEY
“I’ve put in the hard work during camp to get a big victory and put myself on the map in the 154-pound division.
“I know that I’m fighting a really good fighter. This is my opportunity and if I knock Julian Williams out, I’ll be right in the mix with the best super welterweights in the world.”
Easter Jr vs Shafikov Live Stream on Friday
An exciting night of Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce action, headlined by unbeaten world champion Robert Easter battling top challenger Denis Shafkov, will be available to be streamed live by fans this Friday, June 30 via Bounce’s new subscription-video-on-demand service Brown Sugar.
Brown Sugar features an extensive and one-of-a-kind library of iconic black movies as well as Bounce original programming and series.
It is available for mobile phones and tablets in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store as well as for Amazon Kindle Fire tablets in the Amazon Appstore and for computers at www.BrownSugar.com. There is a free initial trial period for subscribers with a retail price of $3.99/month thereafter. Brown Sugar has Google Chromecast capabilities which allow video to play on televisions directly from mobile devices available for consumers with Android and iOS devices.
Bounce and Brown Sugar coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature super welterweight contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams matching up against once-beaten Joshua Conley plus a battle between unbeaten welterweight prospects Jamontay Clark and Ivan Golub.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing from the Huntington Event Center in Toledo, Ohio, are priced at $225 $125, $100, $75, $55 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Robert Easter vs Denis Shafikov on 6/30
Unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter (19-0, 14 KOs) will defend his title in his hometown when he takes on mandatory challenger Denis Shafikov (38-2-1, 20 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, June 30.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will be headlined by the hometown star Easter, who last defended his title in the same venue and on Bounce by knocking down Luis Cruz three times on his way to a unanimous decision.
“I am always happy to fight at home, but I think the excitement in Toledo will be even bigger this time and I can’t wait,” said Easter. “I also have a baby on the way and the due date is June 5, so I will be able to fight knowing my son is here and I am extra pumped because of that. I know that I have a tough opponent, but I am not afraid of any fighter. This is what boxing is about. Shafikov is coming to take my belt, but I know that I will be victorious once again.”
“I’m looking forward to this fight on June 30,” said Shafikov. “I know that I have a very tough opponent in front of me. I have been waiting for this opportunity to get this belt and I plan on doing everything in my power to make it happen.”
“This is going to be Robert’s biggest challenge yet,” said Ravone Littlejohn, CEO of About Billions Promotions. “Shafikov is a tough fighter and this is exactly the type of fight Robert needs as he steps up to the next level of championship boxing. This fight is going to prepare him for his future and we’re excited to be back in Toledo for it.”
“This bout has Fight of the Year written all over it,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Both fighters gained their position by beating the same fighter, Richard Commey, by identical split decisions. That, plus the enthusiasm of Robert Easter’s hometown fans, will make June 30 a night to remember.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $225 $125, $100, $75, $55 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
An accomplished amateur who was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, the 26-year-old Easter picked up five-straight victories dating back to the beginning of 2015 before earning his world title opportunity against Richard Commey in September 2016. Easter was successful in holding off the unbeaten Commey as he was able to earn a split-decision victory in a memorable fight. Now, Easter will step into the ring as the fighting pride of his hometown for the second time, looking to dispatch arguably his toughest opponent to date.
A 31-year-old brawler from Russia, Shafikov brings an exciting style to the ring as he prepares to capitalize on his third world title opportunity. A pro since 2003, Shafikov was unbeaten in his first 34 pro contests and has challenged Rances Barthelemy and Miguel Vazquez in his previous title fights that both went to decisions. Shafikov impressed in his two outings last year, first earning a stoppage victory over then unbeaten Jamel Herring in July before earning this title fight by beating Richard Commey in December.
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