Wilkens Mathieu held onto his NABF super middleweight title Thursday night at the Capitole de Québec, surviving a grueling ten-round scrap against Vladimir Shishkin.
The scorecards told a wildly conflicting story. Two judges favored the 21-year-old prospect with wide 98-92 tallies, while the third saw it 97-93 for the seasoned challenger. The clash served as the co-main event under Osleys Iglesias versus Oliver Zaren on the Eye of the Tiger card broadcast worldwide by DAZN.
Heavy favorite status meant little once the opening bell sounded. Mathieu (17-0, 11 KOs) relied on sharper punches, active footwork, and fluid angles to bag rounds, but Shishkin (17-3, 11 KOs) refused to fade quietly. Leaning on his physical bulk and veteran craft, the Russian pressed forward, periodically landing heavy shots that sucked the energy right out of the partisan Quebec crowd.
Unlike previous outings where Mathieu dictated the terms, Shishkin dragged him into deep waters. The young champion was forced to earn every second against a hardened campaigner who previously went the championship distance with William Scull and faced Iglesias. Mathieu surged during the tenth round to close the bout on his front foot, ensuring the contest ended without either fighter touching the canvas.
A split decision with eight-round leads on two cards versus a seven-round edge for the opponent naturally raises eyebrows. Mathieu got the nod, but the wide margin given by two officials glossed over just how tough Shishkin made things inside the pocket.
Coming off an eighth-round finish of Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao four months ago, Mathieu bags another recognizable name on his resume as he ascends the 168-pound rankings. Still, the night offered a valuable reality check. Preserving the zero was vital, but navigating Shishkin’s rugged pressure gave the young prospect the exact kind of seasoning no early knockout could ever provide.
