Q & A with Beibut Shumenov When Beibut Shumenov left the unpaid ranks for the professional scene he said he was going to quickly fight and win a world title. Being a man of his word he got on the fast track and in just his ninth fight he fought Gabriel Campillo, though that didn’t go well as he lost a close decision they rematched in January of this year and Shumenov took the title a shade over 2 years into his pro career. While many believed he had been lucky to win the rematch with Campillo, Shumenov proved that winning the title had made him a better fighter when he posted the most impressive win of his career to date when he beat unbeaten mandatory Viacheslav Uzelkov. Again not one to sit on his laurels and milk the title he’s in the process of hopefully working out a deal to fight Germany “Thousand Year Talent” Jurgen Braehmer. The 27 year old Kazakhstani now lives in Las Vegas and sports a 10-1(6) record. Here’s what he had to say. Hello Beibut, welcome back to 15rounds.com Anson Wainwright – Since we last spoke have won the WBA Light Heavyweight title beating Gabriel Campillo what can you tell us about how it felt to win the World title? Beibut Shumenov – It was my dream to become a World Champion. One of my goals was to win the WBA title but my ultimate goal is to unify all of the major light heavyweight championships. Anson Wainwright – Many believed that you were lucky to of beaten Campillo what do you have to say about that? Beibut Shumenov – Luck had nothing to do with it. Two of the best judges in boxing had me winning that fight. In boxing there are always critics. All I can do is fight to the best of my ability. If I don’t knock out my opponent, the judges determine who wins and I won that fight. Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us when we can expect to see you in action next? It has been rumoured that you may unify with Jurgen Braehmer? Can you tell us about that? Beibut Shumenov – I’m hoping to be back in action in early January and my goal is to unify. Anson Wainwright – Your last fight was in July when you looked impressive beating Vyacheslav Uzelkov in your first defence that must of been very satisfying as many tipped him to beat you? How do you see that fight looking back? Beibut Shumenov – My trainer, Kevin Barry, helped get me in great shape and I’ve really improved my skills working with him. I beat the top rated, mandatory challenger who had previously knocked out Campillo. The win was very satisfying. Anson Wainwright – What have you done with your time since the Uzelkov fight? Beibut Shumenov – I’ve been training hard in Las Vegas where I live. I love training and Kevin keeps me going strong, even between fights. This is what I do for a living and I always want to improve and give maximum efforts in the ring. Anson Wainwright – You initially promoted yourself with your company KZ Event Productions but before the Uzelkov fight you opted to sign with Dan Goossen at Goossen Tutor. Can you tell us why you did this? Beibut Shumenov – I wasn’t able to concentrate 100-percent on improving and training for my fights. As the promoter there was so much else to do with my brother, Chingis, working on a promotion. Dan and his team have taken a lot of the load off my shoulders and I believe it showed in my last fight. For the most part, all I had to do was train for my fight and not worry about everything else associated with promoting an event. Anson Wainwright – How has signing with Goossen Tutor changed things from a training point of view? Do they help with regardss that? Beibut Shumenov – All I have to do now is focus 100-percent on training and my fight. There are no interuptions or distractions and just hard work. Anson Wainwright – How is KZ Event Productions these days what fighters do you have on your roster & when is the next show? Beibut Shumenov – I’m very proud of the fighters that we have under contract and have high hopes for all of them. They’re living and training here in Las Vegas. Gayrat (Ahmedov) is 15-0-1, the WBC Asian and PAPA light heavyweight Interim champion who is rated No. 8 by the WBA. Ravshan (Hudaynazarov) is one of the hottest welterweight prospects in the world. He is 13-0 with 11 knockouts, many coming from body shots, and he’s already rated No. 14 by the WBA. We just signed a good welterweight prospect, unbdefeated Alexandr Zhuravskiy, who is 9-0 with seven knockouts. He is from my country, Kazakhstan, and rated highly by the Asian Boxing Council and Asia Pacific. I expect that all three will be fighting on my next card. Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us how popular you are in Kazahkstan? Are you one of the most recognised sports people & appear on tv and in adverts etc? Beibut Shumenov – That’s a question that would be better answered by people back home. I can tell you that I appreciate all of the support I receive and a number of fans have traveled to the United States for my last two fights. Anson Wainwright – The Light Heavyweight division has been quite interesting of late with Pascal beating Dawson, Tavoris Cloud is always in interesting fights, Nathan Cleverly beating Karo Murat etc what are your thoughts on the Light Heavyweight division and what in your opinion is the current top five? Beibut Shumenov – Our division is very strong, one of the strongest in boxing. I don’t rate fighters but I think you’d have to include the world champions in the top 5 plus Dawson and a few others. I think the Light Heavyweight division is loaded and I want to fight any of the other world champions to unify the titles. Anson Wainwright – This fall Jean Pascal fights Bernard Hopkins who do you think wins that fight & why? Beibut Shumenov – I’m not into predictions. Pascal looked good defeating Dawson in his last fight. He’s an all-action fighter like me and someday I hope we can fight a unification. Hopkins is a living legend who is capable of beating just about anybody on a given night. Remember what he did to Pavlik. Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Light Heavyweight division? Beibut Shumenov – I hold the WBA and IBA belts and I’m willing to put them both on the line for any of the other world title belts. Thank you for your time Beibut. Anson Wainwright 15rounds.com Midweek Musings – I’ve seen the Haye-Harrison fight, that’s 473 seconds of my life I’ll never get back…To paraphrase a British sports reporter Sid Waddell “When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer….. Pacquiao’s only 31″…Happy Birthday to Nonito Donaire who is 28 on the 16th Nov, former WBA Flyweight champion Koki Kameda who turned 24 on 17th Nov, David Tua & Antonio Tarver are 38 & 42 this Sunday 21 Nov…I’ll be heading for “The Entertainment Capital of the World” early next week to catch the Marquez-Katsidis scuffle, i’m really looking forward to seeing how that fight plays out, it has fight of the year potential…If there are any fighters you’d like to hear from drop me an e-mail and i’ll see what i can work out i’m on [email protected].