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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 belt, August 15 in Kazakhstan.
2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov (8-0, 6 KOs), 2008 WBC Asian Boxing Council Organization’s Boxer of the Year and reigning International Boxing Association title-holder, is currently rated No. 8 by the WBA.
Two months ago in Kazakhstan, Beibut stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the fourth round. Shumenov has also defeated former world champion Montell Griffin and world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza by 12 and 10 round decisions, respectively, during his young pro career.
Former European champion Campillo (18-2, 6 KOs), a stylish southpaw from Spain, captured the WBA crown June 20, traveling to Argentina and winning a 12-round majority decision against local favorite Hugo Hernan Garay (32-3).
“I’m so excited to be fighting for the WBA World title,” Beibut said. “Fighting at home in front of my family, friends and fans makes it even more special for all of us. Campillo showed that he has the heart of a lion by going to Garay’s country and taking away his championship belt. This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I’m honored to be fighting for such a prestigious world title.”
“We’d like to thank Gabriel Campillo, his team, and promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, for accepting our challenge when so many others didn’t,” Chingis noted. “We made formal challenges to all of the world light heavyweight champions, but Campillo was the only one to step-up and make it happen. We’re particularly grateful for him agreeing to make the fight in Kazakhstan. We’d also like to thank the WBA.”
Also scheduled to fight on the Aug. 15th card is 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov (11-0-1, 7 KOs) versus former Eastern & Central African titlist Douglas “Daggy” Otieno (19-1, 9 KOs).
Former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (34-11, 20 KOs) continues his comeback bid against “Jessie” James Kimori (11-1, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bout
The newest member of KZ Event Productions’ growing stable of world-class fighters, undefeated Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudoinazarov (8-0, 5 KOs), the 2007 World Military Games gold medalist, takes on ex-Kenyan champion Joseph “Mish” Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KOs) in a 6-rounder
Other significant fights of global interest are being made and will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
The Aug. 15th show will be presented by KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, in association with Sampson Boxing, LLC.
