By Ryan Burton & Mark Desisto
At the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gabriel Campillo (19-3, 6KOs) was robbed silly by Beibut Shumenov (9-1, 6KOs) over twelve rounds. Shumenov winning a twelve round split decision. The scores were 117-111 for Campillo, 115-113 for Shumenov and 117-111 for Shumenov. The fight was not even close. Shumenov taking the WBA light heavyweight title.
Shumenov came out throwing bombs in the first round, testing Campillo out. In the second, it was Campillo coming out with combinations and hard punches on Shumenov, swelling up his left eye. The third round was close with both guys landing hard punches from both hands. After Shumenov got off to a fast start in the fourth, Campillo ended the round strong by landing very hard hooks during the last minute to stun Shumenov while fighting off the ropes. Shumenov was throwing bombs at the start of the fifth. Campillo's left eye was cut during an exchange. Campillo stood his ground and fought fire with fire. Campillo ended strong again in the final minute.
Campillo came out with some hard shots at the start of the sixth. Shumenov fought back in spurts but it was Campillo who was landing big punches from both hands during the exchanges to push the challenger back. Campillo had a very strong seventh round. He was putting a pounding on Shumenov who seemed to be very tired as the action played out. Campillo had another stroung round in the eight. He was coming forward with punches from both hands and just outworking what seemed to be an exhuasted Shumenov. During the ninth round, Campillo busted up Shumenov with so many combinations that he came close to a stoppage. By the end of the round Shumenov's face was a bloody mess.
The tenth round was a little slower. Shumenov did some better work. Campillo was still outworking and outlanding him. Shumenov was still very tired during the eleventh round. Campillo slowed down just a little. He was still outworking Shumenov badly by landing at least ten punches to one. Shumenov was once again a bloody mess by the end of the round. In the last round, Shumenov came out looking for a big blow. Campillo kept himself together. He countered with multiple combinations to the head and body of Shumenov. As the fight began to close down, Campillo closed the show by pushing the challenger back with shots that were coming from multiple angles.
Junior middleweight prospect Erislandy Lara (10-0, 5 KOs) stopped veteran Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KOs) in the tenth round. After a decent test, Lara began to pour on the steam and knocked Brewer down in the tenth. Lara began to batter him which led to the ref jumping in to stop the fight.
Shadrack Kipruto (10-13) came out strong at the opening bell, surprising Ravshan Hudaynazaro (10-0 8 KOs) in their junior middleweight bout. About a minute into the round, Hudaynazaro figured him out and started landing left hooks and right overhands almost at will. Kipruto showed a stout chin and heart by finishing the first round and continued receiving the same punishment throughout the 2nd round. Kipruto finally tasted the canvas at the 1:26 mark of the 3rd round via a vicious bodyshot. Kipruto didn't look like he was going to be able to get up and referee Robert Byrd rightly called a halt to the fight.
Uzbekistan light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (13-0-1, 9KO) kept his undefeated record intact, stopping Wisconsin's Harley Kilfan (8-4, 7KO) just 1:05 into the opening round. Ahmedov, trained by Don Turner, sunk a heavy left hand to the liver, leaving Kilfian gasping for air on the canvas.
Las Vegas resident Jessie Vargas scored an impressive four round unanimous decision over Rickey Kinney with all three judges scoring all four rounds (40-36) for Vargas. Louisiana southpaw Kinney (3-2, 2KO) was game throughout , firing back to keep the talented Vargas honest throughout the spirited 4 rounds. Light welterweight Vargas (8-0, 3KO), trained by Roger Mayweather, showed a balanced two fisted attack and will be one to keep an eye on.
Ronny Rios (9-0) won a spirited affair over Wilshaun Boxley (5-4) in their featherweight bout. Boxley was game but severely outclassed. The 59-55 twice and 60-54.
Rising prospect Eloy Perez (16-0) of Salinas, California won a unanimous decision over David Rodela (14-2-3). Rodela looked awkward trying to hit the much shorter Perez. Perez worked the jab to perfection. The scores were 97-93 twice and 98-92.