Boxing Result: Campillo Retains WBA Belt Against Shumenov

The upstart hero of Chimkent came up empty handed last night as would-be super prospect Beibut Shumenov failed to unseat reigning WBA light heavyweight champ Gabriel Campillo at the Daulet Sports Compex in Astana, Kazahkstan.

But it wasn’t for a lack of effort or skill as 25 year old local man Shumenov had plenty of bright spots and even had Campillo canvassed and hurt in the ninth frame.

It really came down to experience. Campillo had it and Shumenov didn’t, providing the Spaniard with the margin of victory after he dropped the challenger in the 12th round.

Shumenov hit the gas early, looking to use his strength advantage and steamroll Campillo but “Chico Guapo” knew to maintain distance and pick off the younger man on the way in with sizzling counters.

The southpaw also took some flush shots from Shumenov but Campillo’s wiser pacing let him largely dictate the action during the first half of the bout.

Gritty Shumenov kept at it however and struck paydirt in the ninth when Campillo was floored heavily. But the champion managed to get through the rest of the frame and went at it heartily with Shumenov.

Campillo turned the tables on his local rival, nailing Shumenov to the floor with a spearing bodyshot in the finale before winning a narrow margin unanimous decision.

Campillo improves to 19-2 (6) after winning his second consecutive world title bout. Shumenov suffers his first loss after nearly pulling off the upset, dropping to 8-1 (6), but will likely return in the near future to challenge once again for world honours, undoubtedly more experienced.

Also on the bill, ex-WBO light welter titlist DeMarcus Corley, 35-11-1 (21), turned back the clock to stop prospect James Kimori, 11-2 (7), in the last session of their eight round affair.

Light heavy hopeful Gayrat Ahmedov, 12-0-1 (8), was the winner in a contest for the vacant PABA and WBC ABC crowns when he stopped Douglas Otieno, 19-3 (9), in the second stanza.