Wilkens Mathieu is moving fast to find out how close he is to the top of the super middleweight division. The 21-year-old will defend his NABF belt against former world title challenger Vladimir Shishkin on October 8 at Théâtre Capitole in Quebec City.
Mathieu (16-0, 11 KOs) comes off an eighth-round stoppage of Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao in June. Falcao had some success early before Mathieu took over, making Shishkin a considerably tougher next test rather than another developmental bout.
Shishkin (17-2, 11 KOs) has already competed at the level Mathieu aims to reach. His two defeats came against William Scull and current IBF champion Osleys Iglesias.
Scull beat Shishkin by unanimous decision in October 2024 to win the vacant IBF super middleweight belt. Iglesias stopped Shishkin in eight rounds last September before capturing the same crown. Mathieu wants to follow their route to a world title fight.
“After beating Vladimir Shishkin, William Scull and Osleys Iglesias both went on to fight for world titles. So I sincerely hope the same thing happens for me, because I already feel ready to beat anyone in the world at 168 pounds,” Mathieu said in Friday’s Eye of the Tiger announcement.
The matchmaking should provide a better indication of Mathieu’s readiness than his victory over the 36-year-old Falcao.
Shishkin brings experience against world-level opposition, having gone 12 rounds in a championship bout. Mathieu has only 16 professional fights and is taking on serious tests early for someone who turned 21 in January.
Mathieu is No. 8 with the WBC, No. 14 with the WBA and No. 15 with both the IBF and WBO.
Beating Shishkin would give Mathieu his most meaningful win, strengthening his case that he belongs among the contenders rather than the prospect pool.
The bout serves as the co-feature to Osleys Iglesias defending his IBF and IBO super middleweight belts against Oliver Zaren. The October 8 card will stream internationally on DAZN.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/14 at 12:39 PM
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