ESPN "FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" SHAFIKOV ENDS NUGAEV WINNING STREAK JOSE PEDRAZA STOPS MARTINEZ IN SIX

SANTA YNEZ, CA (August 15, 2014) - Gary Shaw Productions presented another great edition ofESPN "Friday Night Fights" at the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif.

In the main-event, Lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev's (27-7-1, 17 KOs) five fight knockout streak was halted by a very determined Denis Shafikov (34-1-1, 18 KOs), who put on a stellar performance winning by TKO at the 1:16 mark of round 9.  With the victory, Shafikov becomes the mandatory challenger to fight IBF Lightweight Champion Miguel Vasquez, whom he just lost a close unanimous decision to in his last fight.

"Tonight Shafikov was the better man," said Nugaev. "I couldn't get into a good rhythm with my game plane and it showed.  I still feel I have a lot of fight left in me and I promise I'll be back to fight another day.  I want to thank Gary Shaw for all that he's done for me.  I'm very disappointed I didn't perform to my best ability tonight, but like I said...I'll be back."

In the co-main event, Puerto Rico's shining star and IBO Super-Featherweight champion, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (18-0, 12 KOs), looked sensational as he defeated the rough and rugged Juan Carlos Martinez (20-15-1, 7 KOs) by way of knockout when Martinez quit on his stool after the sixth round.  The win gets Pedraza one step closer to a world title opportunity as he is currently rankedWBA #4, IBF #7 and WBC #7.

"I knew Martinez was a very tough fighter coming in, but I wanted to make a statement and let the boxing world know that I'm for real," said Pedraza. "I feel I'm ready to fight any of the champions in my weight class.  I'm going to let my promoter Gary Shaw put everything together.  I know I have the talent to bring a world title back home to my people of Puerto Rico.  I'll be back in the gym as soon as I return home."

Undercard Results

Francisco Santana  defeated Luis Alfredo Lugo (5th round TKO)

Khabir Suleymanov defeated Rufino Serrano (Majority Decision) 

Edwin Sandoval defeated Lyonell Kelly (Unanimous Decision) 

Makani Sarellano defeated Andrew Tinae (4th round KO)

Carlos Samuel Lopez defeated Azamat Umarzada (Unanimous Decision)

ESPN "FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" NUGAEV vs. SHAFIKOV

FRIDAY AUGUST  15, 2014

FROM THE CHUMASH RESORT CASINO

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

"This is going to be one hell of a fight" - Gary Shaw

SANTA YNEZ, CA (August 11, 2014) - Promoter Gary Shaw believes the scheduled main-event onESPN "Friday Night Fights" this week, featuring lightweights Rustam Nugaev vs. Denis Shafikov, is going to be a potential fight of the year candidate. 

Nugaev (27-6-1, 17 KOs), who's rated IBF #5, WBC #3 and WBA #7, is currently riding a 5-fight knockout streak since arriving from Russian in 2013.  Shafikov (33-1-1, 18 KOs), is coming off a 12-round unanimous loss to current IBF champion, Miguel Vasquez (33-3, 13 KOs).  Both fighters have an aggressive style which Gary Shaw believes will make for an exciting night of boxing.  The winner will position himself as the mandatory challenger to fight for the IBF title.

"This is going to be one hell of a fight for the fans," said Gary Shaw. "Nugaev is a tremendous puncher with a great chin and he loves to bring the fight to his opponent.  Shafikov is similar as he also likes to come forward and throw big shots. Both fighters have a lot to gain with a victory.  With the winner becoming the mandatory to fight for the IBF title, I see nothing but fireworks in this fight, and I feel Nugaev will come out on top."

"I have to commend ESPN for showcasing a real fight, a fight that the fans are guaranteed to enjoy.  There have been a lot of mismatches in boxing of late and fight fans deserve to see more hard-hitting competitive fights, especially in a main event attraction.  In Nugaev vs. Shafikov, you have two fighters who are putting everything on the line to get a world title opportunity.  This Friday a "WAR" will be shown on ESPN "Friday Night Fights" so everyone should be tuning in.  This fight has the potential to be Fight of the Year."

The ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast begins Friday August 15, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. 

Tickets priced $35, $50, $65, $85, and $95 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Box office or online at HERE.  Doors open at 5:00 P.M, first fight starts at 5:30 P.M. 

ESPN "FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" PEDRAZA vs. MARTINEZ

GARY SHAW PRODUCTIONS

Press Release For Immediate Release

CO-MAIN EVENT TO NUGAEV vs. SHAFIKOV FRIDAY AUGUST  15, 2014 FROM THE CHUMASH RESORT CASINO UNDERCARD BOUTS ANNOUNCED TICKETS ON SALE NOW SANTA YNEZ, CA (August 6, 2014) - Gary Shaw Productions undefeated Super-Featherweight sensation, Puerto Rico's, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (17-0, 11 KOs), makes his way back to the ring against Juan Carlos Martinez (20-14-1, 7 KOs) August 15, 2014 as the co-feature to Rustam Nugaev (27-6-1, 17 KOs) vs. Denis Shafikov (33-1-1, 18 KOs). The 10-round bout will air live on ESPN "Friday Night Fights" and will take place at Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. Pedraz, who's knocked out five of his last seven opponents, is currently ranked WBA #4, IBF #7 and WBC #7.  A slick boxer-puncher, Pedraza is not looking past Martinez who recently defeated top contender Alejandro Perez.  He vows to put on a great performance for all the fans in attendance, as well as those watching on TV. "Martinez is coming off an impressive win against Perez who is a good fighter," said Pedraza. "I know he's going to be coming with all he's got to try to knock me off, but I'll be ready for anything he brings. Gary Shaw and Javier Bustillo have once again got me a wonderful opportunity to showcase my skills on an international stage.  A world title fight is right around the corner and I just want to keep getting better with each fight. I'm excited to put on a good show for the fans." "Bustillo and I have really seen the improvement in Pedraza with each fight," said Gary Shaw. "He's advancing brilliantly.  I know he has the skills to take his career to the next level.  Martinez has a lot of skill and he is going to bring a unique style, but I'm confident Pedraza will use his superior boxing skills to come out victorious." Undercard Bouts 8-Round Welterweight Bout Francisco Santana (20-3-1, 9 KOs) vs. Wilfredo Acuna (15-15, 12 KOs) 6-Round Featherweight Bout Rufino Serrano (14-5, 1 KO) vs. Khabir Suleymanov (16-4-1, 6 KOs) 4-Round Super-Bantamweight Bout Edwin Sandoval (2-1, 1 KO) vs. Lyonell Kelly (0-3) 4-Round Heavyweight Bout Makani Sarellano (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Andrew Tinae (0-2) 4-Round Super-Middleweight Bout Carlos Samuel Lopez vs. Jamal Harris (5-10-4, 3 KOs) The ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast begins Friday August 15, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif.  Tickets priced $35, $50, $65, $85, and $95 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Box office or online at HERE.  Doors open at 5:00 P.M, first fight starts at 5:30 P.M.