Denis Shafikov hands Jamel Herring first loss on 10th-round stoppage

Russian lightweight Denis Shafikov knocked former U.S. Olympian Jamel Herring down in the second round and went on to hand Herring his first career loss Saturday night by 10th-round stoppage in a Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN event at Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

Herring (15-1, 8 KOs), a former Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq, proved to be no match for Shafikov (37-2-1, 20 KOs) who took it to Herring early, landing a right hook that drove Herring onto the ropes for a ruled knockdown in the second round. Shafikov continued to land power shots in the third round, hammering Herring with straight lefts to the head.

In the fifth round, Shafikov hurt Herring with an overhand left followed by a flurry of power punches against the ropes. Herring showed tremendous heart and determination as he emerged with blood coming from his mouth but fought on. By the seventh round, Herring was cut around his right eye, but continued to trade with Shafikov.

Shafikov had the fight in hand by the ninth round and appeared to be close to a stoppage at that point but referee Gary Rosato let the fight continue. Late in the round, Shafikov landed a vicious left that had Herring out on his feet, but he was saved by the bell.

In the final round, Shafikov landed a crushing overhand left that ended the fight as Rosato halted it 36 seconds into the 10th.

"He was a tough opponent," said Shafikov. "I kept hurting him, but he kept coming back. After I knocked him down, I felt that I was in control of the fight, but my corner wanted the stoppage as they did not think that I could get a decision here. I was very comfortable in the ring and now I feel that I deserve another title shot. This time I will not let that slip away."

Herring said he fought Shafikov's fight but couldn't make the adjustments.

"I got caught pulling out with my hands down," said Herring. "I was surprised by his punch rate. Every time that I felt that I was slowing him down, he would just fight back.

"I did not want the fight to be stopped, but my corner did the best thing for me. Losing is part of the game and all the greats have taken losses. I will be back."

In the co-main event, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (16-0, 9 KOs) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Wilky Campfort (21-3, 12 KOs) in a super welterweight bout.

(Photo of Shafikov, left, landing a left against Herring by Nabeel Ahmad, PBC)