On Sept. 9, hard-punching Richard Commey came, oh, so close to winning a vacant lightweight world title.

He squared off with talented Robert Easter Jr. in Reading, Pennsylvania, and they put on a terrific show. Commey even dropped Easter in the eighth round but wound up losing a split decision with two judges voting for Easter, 115-112 and 114-113, and one judge scoring the fight for Commey, 114-113. It truly was a close fight that could have legitimately gone either way.

While Easter got the glory of the world title belt, Commey at least can find solace in the fact that he can earn another opportunity to fight for the 135-pound belt in a rematch with Easter if he wins his next fight.

The 29-year-old Commey (24-1, 22 KOs), who is from Ghana, is due to face rugged Russian contender Denis Shafikov (37-2-1, 20 KOs) on Friday in a title elimination contest that will position the winner as the mandatory challenger for Easter.

Commey is traveling to Shafikov’s territory to face him in Moscow but said he is well-prepared for what the fight holds.

“I’m ready. We’ve known about this fight for a long time so I’ve been training hard at home in preparation,” Commey said.

Commey is motivated by the prospect of getting another crack at Easter, whom he believes he beat in September.

“Of course, I won that fight, but I’m following the declaration of the IBF and facing Shafikov for the right to challenge Easter for the belt again,” Commey said. “That’s what I’m after, another shot at Easter.”

Shafikov, 31, is no pushover. It figures to be a tough fight for both of them. Shafikov is the former European junior welterweight champion but a two-time loser by decision in lightweight world title bouts, to Miguel Vazquez in 2014 and Rances Barthelemy in 2015.

However, Shafikov put himself back in position for the eliminator with Commey in July when he handed 2012 U.S. Olympian Jamel Herring his first loss, stopping him in the 10th and final round in an ESPN-televised Premier Boxing Champions main event.

“I’ve seen Shafikov fight,” Commey said. “He’s very aggressive and I’ll need to use my boxing skills and be smart to win.”

Said Mickey Amoo-Bediako Sr., Commey’s manager, “While we were very disappointed in the Easter fight, we’re thankful that the IBF gave us this opportunity to fight in the eliminator. That’s all Richard wants, the chance to prove he’s a true world champion.”

The fight will take place in Moscow because Shafikov’s team won the purse bid and got to pick the site. But Commey and his team are not concerned with the location of the bout.

“No issue on our part going to Russia. A ring is a ring,” Amoo-Bediako said. “Richard’s fought all over Europe and South Africa. He’ll be victorious on (Friday).”