The climb back up to the top of the division may be difficult, but Denis Shafikov is up to the challenge.

Shafikov snapped a two-bout losing streak with a workmanlike eight-round unanimous decision over Hector Ambriz Suarez on Wednesday night at The Avalon in Hollywood, California.

Originally from Russia and now residing in Big Bear Lake, California, Shafikov had lost his two previous fights by decision to IBF lightweight titleholder Robert Easter and, on Dec. 9, to junior lightweight gatekeeper Rene Alvarado.

The southpaw Shafikov was the aggressor from the opening bell, closing the distance between himself and the taller Suarez and ripping left hands to the head. A counter left hand momentarily staggered Suarez during the final moments of round three, but Shafikov was unable to follow up.

Suarez (12-7-1, 6 KOs), who resides in Ensenada, Mexico, did well when he initiated exchanges, but Shafikov’s pedigree and skill-set were too much for Suarez to overcome.

Scores were 77-75, 79-73, and 80-72 for Shafikov, who improves to 39-4-1, 20 KOs.

“I feel good about my performance,” said Shafikov, who is trained by Abel Sanchez. “There was accidental head-butt that opened a small cut, but it did not affect my performance (tonight).”

After fighting for several years as a lightweight, and the recent loss to Alvarado, Shafikov believes he can be a force at 130 pounds.

“I would like to have an another opportunity at a world title belt, but I have to become a mandatory. That is a goal of mine.”

Former amateur standout and welterweight prospect Brian Ceballo won a one-sided four-round decision over Adan Ahumada.

Ceballo was impressive vs. game-but-outgunned Ahumada. Photo by Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos / 360 Promotions

The taller and stronger Ceballo (3-0, 1 KO) utilized his technical skill-set over the first three rounds, but unleashed an avalanche of combinations to the head during the final round. Ceballo stunned Ahumada (3-5-2, 2 KOs) with a right hand that sent him back against the ropes, prompting referee Sharon Sands to administer an eight-count with about 15 seconds left in the round. Ahumada was able to make it out of the round.

All three judges scored the bout 40-35 in favor of Ceballo.

Junior middleweight prospect Serhii Bohachuk dominated the normally-durable Cesar Soriano, of Mexico, dropping him three times before the fight was stopped in the second round.

Bohachuk (9-0, 9 KOs) dropped Soriano about 40 seconds into round one with a right hand. Soriano was able to get up and fight back, but was dropped with a left hook to the head later in the round.

Bohachuck didn’t need long to overwhelm Berumen. Photo by Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos / 360 Promotions

Bohachuk went in for the kill early in round two. His aggression was rewarded as he dropped Soriano (26-38-3, 16 KOs) with a punch to the body. Soriano beat the count, but referee Jack Reiss stopped the bout to save him from receiving further punishment.

In other action:
Middleweight Jonathan Esquivel (6-0, 6 KOs) dropped overmatched Sergio Gonzalez (6-6, 2 KOs) three times before the fight was mercifully stopped in the third round.

In strawweight action, Louisa Lawton (8-1, 4 KOs), of Australia, rebounded from the only loss of her career in her last fight by stopping Elvia Trevino (2-4) at the end of the fourth round.

Junior welterweight Elvina White won a one-sided four round decision over Annette Pabello (0-3). All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of White, who goes to 2-0.

Junior featherweight Luis Rosales (8-1-1, 3 KOs) won a close six-round unanimous decision over Roberto Pucheta (10-14-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56 for Rosales.

In the opening bout of the 360 Promotions card, featherweight Mario Ramos (5-0, 5 KOs) stopped Guadalupe Arroyo (3-12) at 1:36 of the sixth and final round.

Wednesday night marked the second installment of the ‘Hollywood Fight Night’ series in 2018.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV.com since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, Boxingscene.com, and FightNights.com. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing