Jamel Herring vs Denis Shafikov set for July 2, PBC on ESPN

Lightweight prospect Jamel Herring will take a step up in competition against former world title challenger Denis Shafikov on July 2, headlining a PBC on ESPN card from Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Herring (15-0, 8 KO) was a 2012 U.S. Olympian, nicknamed "Semper Fi," as he served in the United States Marines and did two tours of duty in Iraq, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He's just recently faced somewhat better competition, including veterans Hector Velazquez and Yakubu Amidu.

Shafikov (36-2-1, 19 KO) is coming off of a loss to Rances Barthelemy in December, where he got his second opportunity at winning the IBF lightweight title. He had previously been defeated by Miguel Vazquez in Macau, back in February 2014. He's still a contender in the division, and is by far the best opponent that Herring will have faced to date.

In the co-feature, Polish junior middleweight prospect Patryk Szymanski (15-0, 9 KO) will face Wilky Campfort (21-2, 12 KO). Camfort, 31, lost his last fight, a world title bout against Jermall Charlo, by TKO-4 in November. He'd won 20 straight before then, with his other loss coming in his second pro bout in 2009.

Szymanski, 23, has fought regularly in the United States since turning pro in 2012, with nine of his fights on U.S. soil, four in Poland, and one each in Germany and Puerto Rico. He most recently fought in October, beating Richard Gutierrez.