KZ Boxing: Campillo vs. Shumenov Rematch For WBA Title Friday In Las Vegas

On Friday, January 29, KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions are pleased to present an evening of world championship boxing when they present “Campillo vs. Shumenov II” at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the 12-round main event, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo will defend his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against Las Vegas resident Beibut Shumenov, who will defend his IBA Light Heavyweight World Title, in a rematch of their heated 2009 title fight. In that August bout, Campillo upset the odds in an exciting 12 rounder that saw both men hit the deck before the Spaniard took the razor-thin and highly controversial majority decision.

In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara faces veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer, winner of The Contender II reality television show, in a 10-round bout.

Also in action will be undefeated Uzbekistani standouts Gayrat Ahmedov and Ravshan Hudaynazarov, super featherweight stars Eloy Perez and David Rodela and hot California prospects Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios.

A professional since 2002, 31-year-old Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 5 KO’s) really hit his stride in 2009. Formerly the holder of the Spanish light heavyweight title, Campillo kicked off last year by decisioning Lolenga Mock for the European Union belt. Just three months later on June 20, he defeated Hugo Garay in his home country of Argentina for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title before finishing off 2009 with his win over the previously unbeaten Shumenov. On January 29, he looks for a repeat against Shumenov in his United States debut.

One of boxing’s most amazing stories, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO’s) represented his country of Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics, but didn’t make his professional debut until 2007. Shumenov quickly made up for lost time, defeating veterans Donnell Wiggins and Epifanio Mendoza, as well as former World Champions Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell, all within his first eight professional fights, an impressive feat by any standards. Although he lost to Campillo in his first world title bout last year, the 26-year-old Shumenov plans to use the defeat as a learning experience and aims to reverse that result on January 29.

Former amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) has made a seamless transition to the professional ranks since leaving Cuba, and in nine fights has dazzled boxing insiders and fans with his speed, power and poise. Fresh off of a near-shutout win over veteran Luciano Perez in his first 10-round fight last December, Lara will look to continue his meteoric rise against the vastly more experienced and always dangerous Grady Brewer.

The story of Lawton, Oklahoma’s Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s) is the classic tale of a fighter who came up the hard way, but in 2006, Brewer finally got his chance to shine as a competitor on the hit reality series “The Contender.” By the end of that year he scored three victories and defeated former World Champion Steve Forbes to take home the series crown. Since then, Brewer has put together four more wins, three by knockout and is eager to pin the first loss on Lara’s record on January 29.

Making their United States debuts on January 29 will be light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) and his fellow countryman from Uzbekistan, junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (9-0, 7 KO’s). Both fighters are known for their ring savvy and exciting styles, and with Ahmedov riding a five-fight knockout streak and Hudaynazarov winning his last three bouts by knockout, fans can expect fireworks from both of them. Ahmedov will face Harley Kilfian (8-3, 7 KO’s) of Kenton, Ohio in a six round bout while Hudaynazarov battles Rochester, Minnesota’s Scott Ball (10-6, 8 KO’s) in a six round fight.

Eloy Perez (15-0-2, 4 KO’s), from Salinas, Calif., will start 2010 with a 10-round junior featherweight clash against the pride of Oxnard, Calif., “Dangerous” David Rodela (14-1-2, 6 KO’s) in defense of his USNBC Super Featherweight title in a bout that was originally slatted for the January 30 undercard of Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto. These California standouts combined for a record of 6-0 in 2009; but on January 29, somebody’s winning streak will end.

Undefeated junior welterweight Carlos Molina (9-0, 5 KO’s) of Norwalk, California will return to the ring after a very successful 2009 during which he stepped up his level of competition and defeated five of his last six opponents by knockout. Molina will be making his Las Vegas debut against St. Joseph, Missouri native Tyler Ziolowski (12-10, 6 KO’s) in a six round bout.

19-year-old featherweight phenom Ronny Rios (8-0, 4 KO’s) kicks off his 2010 campaign on January 29, and if his 2009 season was any indication, fight fans should be in for something special from the Santa Ana, Calif. native, who went 6-0 with 3 knockouts last year. Rios will see action in a six round featherweight bout against Willshaun Boxley (5-3, 3 KO’s) of Coons Rapids, Minnesota.

Opening up the show will be junior welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas (7-0, 3 KO’s) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four round bout against an opponent to be determined.

“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” is presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.

Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets) and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.