Shumenov: I Will Make a Statement Against Hopkins!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard Hopkins and WBA Super World Champion Beibut Shumenov held a press conference on Tuesday at The W Hotel in Washington, D.C., to formally announce their world championship unification on Saturday, April 19, live on SHOWTIME® from the DC Armory.  

At 49-years-old, “The Alien” Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KOs), of Philadelphia, is looking to become the oldest fighter in boxing history to unify world titles, while Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs), of Shymkent, Kazakhstan, is aiming to become the fastest fighter to unify the light heavyweight division with only 15 professional fights under his belt.

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® co-main event, undefeated WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs), of New York, will defend his title for the third time when he meets former interim WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Lukas Konecny (50-4, 23 KOs) of the Czech Republic.

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, went  on sale today at 10 a.m. ET and are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET.

“I’m very excited that I’m going to fight one of the greatest fighters ever.  I know that I’ve never faced anyone on his level and I know it’s going to be the hardest fight of my life.  But I will do whatever it takes to win this fight.  And I’ll do anything possible and impossible to get the victory," Shumenov said.

“People will find out on April 19 that I belong in the elite level.  That I am the best light heavyweight champion in the world.  I’m looking to make a statement to the world.

"I’m confident, he’s confident.  You have to be prepared for all styles.  I never faced anybody at Bernard’s level.  I consider him the best light heavyweight champion.  And he is in my way to prove that I am the best light heavyweight champ.

“It’s a dream of mine to have this kind of opportunity.  I’ve been ready to fight at this type of level for several years and now I have this platform to show off all my skills.

“I was honored to see the ambassador of our country [Kazakhstan] here.  I have a lot of fans here in the U.S. and Las Vegas and all over the country.”