In boxing, there are fights that happen because both opponents happen to be available at the same time. And then there are fights that happen because they were the logical next step in both boxers’ careers. Here, for both Wilkens Mathieu and Vladimir Shishkin, there was no better next step…
When Eye of the Tiger announced that Mathieu would defend his NABF title against the former Russian world title challenger on October 8 at the Capitole Theatre in Quebec City, my first reaction was pretty simple: yes. This is exactly it.
I love everything about this opponent choice. Both of Shishkin’s losses came in world championship fights, against William Scull — and we robbed him — and Osleys Iglesias, here in Montreal. So Wilkens Mathieu (21) is being offered a credible opponent who will provide real opposition while also creating a comparison with the most feared boxer in the division, Osleys Iglesias.
Photo: Ring Magazine – Osleys Iglesias vs Vladimir Shishkin
Even for the fans, it makes sense. It’s not clear that Mathieu is ready for this level yet, so this is another step forward. Falcao represented a lot of things connected to the past, with the Olympics and some strong performances at middleweight. Shishkin is a big 168-pounder with an Olympic background and, in my opinion, only one real loss.
Wilkens Mathieu is 21 years old and undefeated in 16 professional fights. He is the first fighter to stop Esquiva Falcao, holds a strong WBC ranking at No. 8, and appears in every other top 15. What was he supposed to do next? Take the next step, and Shishkin checks every box.
To me, boxing is pretty simple: when you want to earn a world championship fight, take the same path as those who earned one before you. If it’s simple, it’s life and boxing.
Photo: Wilkens Mathieu – Jeff Lockhart
Shishkin is dangerous
Vladimir Shishkin has 17 wins, two losses and 11 knockouts. Most importantly, both of his losses came against William Scull and Osleys Iglesias.
That’s interesting… Because Scull and Iglesias aren’t two names that came out of nowhere.
Scull beat Shishkin before going on to fight for a world title. Iglesias stopped him before becoming IBF champion.
Vladimir Shishkin is a guy who knows the business, who knows what big fights are all about. He is a 35-year-old boxer who left Russia to settle in Florida… but there’s more. His trainer, Sugar Hill, claimed that he had the tools to defeat Canelo Alvarez. His amateur record is 301-29; he has truly seen it all.
“In my opinion, he is [already] the best super-middleweight in the world. I’ve seen him in training: he is very big, skilled and, in my opinion, a future world champion,” Dmitriy Salita said in 2020.
Photo: Wilkens Mathieu – Jeff Lockhart
Since I’m often critical of matchmakers, I have to tip my hat when everything is perfect, and that’s the case here. The Russian is still dangerous, he’s coming here to revive his career, and on his side, Wilkens Mathieu wants to see his career reach new heights with a victory. That’s enough to get me out of Rosemont, and that’s rare. Quebec City, here I come.
On the podcast
I can’t get over the quality of the card they’re presenting to us in Quebec City. Hats off to Dzmitry Asanau who, despite his record and rankings, is willing to do it for the fans by taking on his undefeated countryman Luis Santana. When you want to take on the best in the world, you have to clean up your own country and, right here, your own workplace.
