Former two-time super middleweight world champion Byron “Slama from Bama” Mitchell has replaced Alejandro “Naco” Berrio, who was unable to leave Colombia with visa issues, as light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov’s opponent on Saturday night.

The pair meet in the main event on an all-star card, outdoors at Khadkimukan Stadium in Shumenov’s hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan.

2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov, 7-0 (5), 2008 WBC Asian Boxing Council Organization’s Boxer of the Year, is already rated No. 8 by the WBA, No. 9 by the WBO and No. 16 by the WBC. His WBO Asia Pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim titles will all be on the line, as well as the vacant IBA world crown, against present NABA USA light heavyweight champion Mitchell, 27-4-1 (20).

Reigning NABA USA title-holder Mitchell first captured the WBA super middleweight belt in 1999, stopping defending champion Frankie Liles in the 11th round. Byron, a 999 National Golden Gloves middleweight champion, recaptured the WBA crown in 2001 via a 12th round knockout of Manny Siaca.

Two successful title defenses followed against Siaca and Julio Cesar Green. All Mitchell’s four career losses have been to world champions – Joe Calzaghe, Sven Ottke, Bruno Girard and Richard Hall.

“Although we’re disappointed Beibut won’t be fighting Berrio as planned,” Chingis Shumenov said, “we’re excited that Mitchell accepted our offer to fight him in the main event. We’ve been targeting Mitchell, who is a world-class fighter that’s fought some of the biggest names in boxing.”

Former IBF light middleweight Roman “Made In Hell” Karmazin will fight at home for the first time in seven years against Luis “Tyson” Augusto Dos Santos, 24-15 (20) in the 10-round co-feature.

Born in Russia, reigning NABF middleweight title-holder Karmazin, 38-3-1 (24), rated No. 5 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBC, was stationed in the military and later lived in Uralsk, Kazakhstan, where his son, Oleg, still resides and studies.

Also fighting on Saturday’s card 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov, 10-0-1 (6), making his KZ Event Productions debut, versus WBC Latino and Brazilian title-holder Luzimar “Tiger of Itacre” Gonzaga, 25-4 (20), in an eight round light heavyweight match.

Former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, 33-11 (19) meets former Brazilian lightweight champion Sidney Siqueira, 12-3-1 (7), in an eight round bout

The undercard is loaded with undefeated Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudoinazarov, 7-0 (5), vs. former Brazilian lightweight title-holder Isak “Iza” Tavares, 16-6 (4), plus Chimkent hometown favorites such as light middleweight Kanat Orakbaev, 2-0 (0), vs. Umid Soliev, 1-1 (0), and pro-debuting heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Saturday’s show presented by KZ Event Productions, owned by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, will be taped live for later broadcasts in North America.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Weights: Beibut Shumenov vs. Byron Mitchell

  Prior to the event today at Stadium Khadjimukan in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, most of the principal fighters weighed in yesterday. 12 rounds, various regional light heavyweight titles Beibut Shumenov: 173.2 lb Byron Mitchell: TBA 10 >
  
  

• X-Cel Boxing: Byron Mitchell Not Deterred By Shumenov Loss

  Former two-time world champion Byron "Gator" Mitchell says his comeback won't be derailed by one setback. Mitchell took a short-notice chance at a quick bump in the world ratings >
  
  

• Boxing Preview: Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov

  The WBA light heavyweight strap is at stake tonight at Daulet Sports Complex in Astana, Kazakhstan as heavily-hyped local prospect Beibut Shumenov attempts to unseat newly minted champion Gabriel Campillo. Spanish >
  
  

• KZ Boxing: Shumenov vs. Mitchell US Broadcast Schedule

  The North American television debut of light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov starts tomorrow and continues this summer with airings of the taped May 9th show from Shumenov’s hometown of Chimkent, >
  
  

• Shumenov Going For Light Heavyweight Boxing Title Record

  The WBA light heavyweight championship between defending titlist Gabriel Campillo and undefeated challenger Beibut Shumenov takes place this Saturday, August 15 at Daulet Sport Complex at the National Tennis Center >
  
  

• KZ Boxing: WBA Sanctions Campillo vs. Shumenov Rematch

  KZ Event Productions, Inc. and Sampson Boxing LLC are pleased to announce that the WBA has officially agreed to sanction the upcoming rematch between WBA Champion Gabriel Campillo and Beibut >
  
  

• Boxing Prospect Shumenov Calls Out World Champions Erdie, Garay

  Light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov, fresh off of his impressive fourth-round stoppage of former two-time world champion Byron “Slama from Bama” Mitchell on Saturday night in Kazakhstan, has set his >
  
  

• KZ Boxing: Shumenov Challenges WBA Champ Campillo August 15

  In only his ninth professional fight, unbeaten light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov will challenge current champion Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo, making the first defense of his newly won WBA title >
  
  

• Boxing In Australasia: Weekend Results

  Light heavyweight Beibut Shumenov continued the auspicious start to his career as the talented upstart stopped former two-time super middleweight world champion Byron Mitchell in the fourth round of their >
  
  

• KZ Boxing: WBA Champ Campillo Defends Against Shumenov August 15

  WBA light heavyweight champion Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo is a true road warrior who defends his title belt for the first time August 15th against undefeated light heavyweight sensation Beibut >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: , Alejandro Berrio, Beibut Shumenov, Byron Mitchell, KZ Event Productions