KZ Boxing: Shumenov Fast Tracked To August 15 WBA Title Fight

Unbeaten Kazak light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov is on the verge of boxing history as he prepares for his August 15th title challenge against World Boxing Association champion Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo, making his first title defense, at Palace of Sports “Kazakhstan” in Astana, 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, recently relinquished his WBO Asia pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim light heavyweight title belts,

The 25-year-old Beibut has been on a fast track as a professional, debuting less than two years ago and now fighting for a major world title in only his ninth pro fight, eight less than the fewest ever for a world light heavyweight champion, Michael Spinks (17).

Shumenov, a native of Kazakhstan now residing and training in Las Vegas, currently is the WBA No. 9 contender. Two months ago in his hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan, Beibut stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the fourth round, continuing his ambitious schedule that alsoincludes victories against former world champion Montell Griffin and world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza, respectively, by 12 and 10 round decisions.

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).

“Our plan all along was to be aggressive and fight only quality opponents,” Chingis explained. “We didn’t want to build-up Beibut’s record against easy opponents because the window of opportunity is only open for a short time.

“We found that out in the 2004 Olympics when Beibut injured his hand in the second round. Anything can happen in boxing, so Beibut stepped-up to a 12-round bout in only his fourth pro fight (WKO2 against Donnell Wiggins).

“This will be only the second major world title fight ever held in our country (IBF cruiserweight champ Vassiliy Jirov defeated Alex Gonzales in Almaty 8 ½ years ago.). A win will make Beibut the fourth world champion from Kazakhstan (joining Jirov, WBC heavyweight Oleg Maskaev and WBO super featherweight Anatoly Alexandrov). We’re all very excited about the show.”

Also scheduled to fight on the Aug. 15th card are two Team KZ members: 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) in the 12-round co-feature for the PABA light heavyweight title.

Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudayaynazarov, 2007 World Military Games gold medalist, against ex-Kenyan title-holder Joseph Joseph “Mish” Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KOs) in a 6-rounder.

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

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard against opponents to soon be determined are a pair of pro debuting Kazaks, super featherweight Abzal Adambaev and heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov.

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.