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Former Kazakhstan Olympian Beibut “The Beast” Shumenov is the greatest fighter in the world that most boxing fans haven’t heard of, at least not at this stage of his young professional career.
In less than 10 months, 24 year old Shumenov has won all six of his pro fights, five by knockout, capturing three title belts – WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBO Asia Pacific and PABA Interim Light Heavyweight Championships.
Earlier this month in Chimkent, Kazakhaston, Shumenov, 6-0 (5), easily won a 12 round decision, in his WBC and WBO Asian title defenses, against former WBC title-holder Montell “Ice” Griffin, 50-8 (30), whose victims over the years include a pair of future Hall of Famers, Roy Jones, Jr. and James Toney (twice).
Beibut won every round, nearly stopping Griffin in the opening round, en route to shutting out the former world champion by lop-sided scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 120-107.
After the fight Griffin, rated No. 22 by the WBA, was taken to the hospital for stitches for a cut over his eye as well as to get his ribs examined after Beibut’s devastating body attack.
Shumenov, already rated No. 15 by the WBO prior to his victory against Griffin, was highly touted in the 2004 Olympics, winning his opening bout against Polish representative Aleksy Kuziemsky, presently 15-0 as a pro prospect, by a score of 37-22.
Amidst rumors of a hand injury, Beibut was defeated in the round of 16 by Turkey’s Ihsan Yildorim Tarham, 27-19, in the same light heavyweight division that Andre Ward of the United States won the Gold Medal.
Last November in North Carolina, Shumenov won his pro debut with a first round TKO of Walter Edwards, followed in order by an opening round knockout of Cedric Howard in Florida, and a fourth-round TKO of 68 fight veteran Shannon Miller in Tennessee.
In April, Beibut put Donnell Wiggins, 24-10-4, to sleep in the second round of their fight in Kazakhstan for the WBC Asian and PABA Interim Light Heavyweight crowns.
Ten days later, Beibut stopped Lavell Fingers, 26-2, in the first-round of their April 22 fight, also held in Kazakhstan. Beibut successfully defended his two Asian titles and also collected the PABA Interim crown.
Trained by Kenny Adams and advised by E Point K Consulting, Shumenov is resting in Kazakhaston and will return to Las Vegas in late September or early October to prepare for his next fight. Beibut plans to make a title run in 2009.
The word is slowly getting out in boxing: “Beibut The Beast” is on the loose!
