KZ Boxing Prospects Added To Shumenov vs. Santiago Card

ByBoxing Press

Undefeated, world-rated KZ Event Productions fighters Ravshan Hudaynazarov and Gayrat Ahmedov have become as difficult to fight as it is for boxing fans to correctly pronounce and spell their last names.

The dynamic duo from Uzbekistan, now fighting out of Las Vegas, will be defending their respective titles in 10-round bouts on the July 29 “Fire & Fury” pro boxing card, headlined by their promoter Beibut Shumenov’s third title defense against two-time world title challenger Danny “The Bronx Bomber” Santiago, on TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” broadcast live from South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shumenov (11-1, 7 KOs), the reigning and defending WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight Champion, lives and fights out of Las Vegas. The 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian set a light heavyweight record for capturing a world title in the fewest career fights, 10, when (Jan. 10, 2010) he won a 12-round decision against Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas.

He has since successfully defended his WBA/IBA titles twice against No. 1 mandatory challenger Viacheslav Uzelkov (UDEC12) and three-time world champion William Joppy (KO6). In only 11 pro fights, Beibut has defeated four world champions (Campillo, Joppy, Byron Mitchell and Montell Griffin) and two world title challengers (Uzelkov and Epifanio Mendoza).

WBA #15 ranked Santiago (31-4-1, 19 KOs), fighting out of Ocala, Florida, was featured on the third season of The Contender reality television series.

Hudaynazarov and Ahmedov are trained by Kevin Barry, the 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist, and Dewey Cooper at Team Barry Boxing in Henderson, Nevada. “Both of these guys have had tremendous training camps,” Barry reported. “I expect them to have great performances. Beibut sets the bar high for Ravshan and Gayrat, who train with him, and Beibut has been a great leader for them to follow in the gym.”

Hudaynazarov (14-0, 12 KOs), the WBA FEDALATIN Welterweight Champion who is rated No. 9 by the WBA, defends his title in a 10-round bout against former USNBC titlist Hector “The Hurricane” Munoz (19-5-1, 12 KOs).

“Ravshan has improved so much,” Barry said. “He’s taking it to another level and is stronger than ever before. He’s already right on mark for the 29th. I believe he’s heading towards a world title.”

WBA No. 2-rated light heavyweight contender Ahmedov (16-0-1, 12 KOs) defends his WBA International belt against veteran Max“The Fireman” Heyman (24-11-4, 14 KOs) in another 10-rounder.

“Working as a team has really helped Gayrat prepare for this fight,” Barry noted. “He has stepped up to No. 2 in the WBA and he’s getting very close to a very big fight. He has been motivated by Beibut’s success and his turn will come. I’m veryoptimistic about Gayrat.”

The co-feature between popular Las Vegas super featherweight Lonnie Smith (13-2-2, 9 KOs) and Robert “The King” Vargas(5-1-1, 0 KOs) is also scheduled to air on TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” broadcast. Smith, rated No. 13 by the USBA, is riding an eight-fight win streak.

Las Vegas fan favorite Ramon Montano(17-9-2, 2 KOs) faces welterweight Juan Suazo (7-4-3, 5 KOs) in a six-round match. Also on the card against an opponent to be determined is Freddie Roach-trained, unbeaten super featherweight prospect Joel Diaz(4-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

“Fire& Fury” is promoted by KZ Event Productions (Shumenov and his brother, Chingis, own and operate the Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions) in association with Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Guilty Boxing and South Point Hotel Casino and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T. Doors open at 5:30 PM PT, the first bout at 6:00 PM PT and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30 PM ET / PT (10:30 PM CT).

Tickets, starting at $25, are available for purchase at South Point’s box office, online at www.SouthPointEventCenter.com/tickets.php, or by calling 1.702.797.8055.

Fans at home can also be part of the action by participating in Cinturón Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displays the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.