Beibut Shumenov-Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Being Eyed For May?

By Yuri Tarantin

Earlier this month, former two-time world champion cruiserweight Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (50-3-1, 36 KOs) made his long awaited return to the ring.

It was the first fight for "El Diabo" since losing his world title to current champion Grigory Drozd of Russia in September 2014. He came into that fight off a lengthy layoff.

Wlodarczyk needed only two rounds to blast out gate-keeper Valery Brudov (42-8, 28 KO), who lost three of his last four bouts - including a January decision loss to Noel Gevor in Germany.

Last month his trainer Fedor Lapin said a fight against WBA interim-champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KO) was possible for a date in late April. The fight was scheduled to take place last December, but Shumenov withdrew with an injury. Shumenov has been out of the ring since winning a decision over BJ Flores last July in Las Vegas.

"With all my heart I want to get back to the throne of being a world champion," Wlodarczyk said.

The fight is now looking a bit further out. Based on the most recent information received, Lapin says the fight would take place in the month of May but he's not holding his breath.

"The fight with Beibut Shumenov has repeatedly been postponed [since last December]. I have to stay calm [in this situation]. Now they are saying that this fight will be postponed to May. If Shumenov and his team are ready, we are ready to enter the ring tomorrow with no questions asked from me," said the coach.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru