Anyone here heard of Beibut Shumenov?

[deanrw]

I never heard of him until a friend on another site told me about him. He is from Kazakhstan and has a 7-0 record. What is significant though is his last two fights have been against Montell Griffin and Epifanio Mendoza, which is very impressive for a guy basically just starting his pro career.

This guy is a real prospect!

[Silencers]

I heard of him when he beat Griffin, haven't seen him fight though.

Here's a report of his fight with Mendoza if you're interested.

The fight was reasonably entertaining. It was a pretty small crowd, largely due to a lack of advertising. The majority of the crowd were Russians/former SSR. In fact the only reason I knew about the card was because my girlfriend is Russian (from Uzbek) and we shop at some Russian shops one of which had a fight poster for the event. Throughout the main event the Russians were shouting things, which I had translated to me as being "Kill him" "**** him up" "Make him cry" and the like.

Shumenov looked like, if I dare say it, a fairly "typical" central asian fighter. Lead hand hanging very low, good power, good workrate, descent accuracy, bad defence, and mostly non-existant inside boxing ability.

He did well when he was on the outside, landing some hard shots, and even caught Mendoza with some nice uppercuts, especially early on. As the fight progressed, Shumenov did visibly tire, but at no point did he appear in any danger of gassing, his workrate dropped a bit, and instead of trying to put together combinations he went more into a punch-clinch mode.

Mendoza for his part didn't really do ****, he landed a few descent punches, but there was only really one or two rounds that you could say he won cleanly. He did press the action in the later rounds though, coming forward, and landed one very good punch I think in the 7th that may have rocked Shumenov.

The fighters did clash heads quite a bit, especially in the later part of the fight as they began to fall into each other with increasing frequency. As a result there was lots of mid-round 'hand-shaking', and probably the most odd thing of this fight, was that they actually did alot of mid-round HUGGING, not clinch-hugging, but apologetic-hugging after a clash of heads. It was straight up weird at some point and you could tell the ref was equally disturbed as the audience, and he didn't really know how to deal with the excessive pseudo-****sexual behavior of the fighters! Like right after a ref break, instead of going at each other, the fighters held out there hands, then slowly embraced each other chest to chest for a period of 3 to 5 seconds, and this occured at least a half-dozen times in the fight. WTF?!?

The scorecards if I remember correctly were all in the 8-2 round range which was pretty much spot on. Mendoza did more than just try to survive, but not ALOT more... He did press the action, particularly in the mid-late rounds, but not very effectively. For what it's worth, both fighters let it hang pretty good in the 10th, and there were some nice exchanges, with Shumenov in my opinion getting the slightly better of them.

Overall I'd have trouble seeing Shumenov ever holding onto a world title. He may crack top 10 though and even get a title shot. His defence and his lack of infighting ability are really going to hurt him against top guys. He reminds me of Raimkulov, only with a bit lower workrate. If he can develop more inside boxing, and even vary the power on his shots (he tends to put a bit too much into shots that seem hopeless) he could get a bit further. He certainly has a good fighting spirit, and cries a loud "UD!" with every power shot. I'd gladly watch him fight again.

[gridiron]

*********

Note, the Griffin fight was a 12-rounder, Shumenov's only 6th fight.

By Alexey Sukachev

It’s not a common turn of events, when a fighter starts to create a considerable buzz over his accomplishments around the Internet before he actually got on regional or national TV. The most known example of this kind is a record-breaking KO terror Edwin Valero, who snatched eighteen consecutive first-round kayos, which were seen around the world mostly via the web. It was later when he started fighting in televised events worldwide. It seems we have a new Internet boxing phenomenon on the way up and his name is Beibut Shumenov.

He is 25, represents Kazakhstan, was an amateur standout, and that’s possibly all even hardcore fans know about him. And why bother? The answer is in his record, which lists seven consecutive wins with five KOs against an overall record of opposition equal to 150-65-13 (103-15-1 in his last three fights). After scoring three easy stoppages over non-descript foes he promptly kayoed two notable veterans in Donnell Wiggins (24-10-4) and Lavell Finger (26-2), then shut out former WBC light heavyweight champion and Roy Jones’ conqueror Montell Griffin (49-7) over twelve pretty one-sided rounds (video) and closing this year, outpointed durable knockout artist Epifanio Mendoza (28-6-1) over ten hard-fought rounds of action.

Definitely, it’s a sky-rocketing type of career start for a man, who was named 2008 WBC Asian Boxing Council Fighter of the Year ahead such talented prospects as Saddam Kietyoungyuth. To know more about Beibut this reporter contacted Shumenov in his Las Vegas office.

Beibut, you started your pro career only a year and a month ago. Given that, it’s not that surprising, Shumenov isn’t a brand name among casual fans and experts alike. An internet hardcore boxing junkie is quite a different story; though he knows little about you as well. Please, tell us more about you first steps in boxing and about your amateur career a bit.

As an amateur, I was a champion of Asia in 2004, in Philippines. I also won a silver medal in the 1-st Afro-Asian Games in 2003, in India. I participated in 2004 Olympics, in Athens, Greece. During the fight with Aleksy Kuziemski, who is the EBA (European Boxing Association) light heavyweight champion and WBO Inter-Continental beltholder nowadays, I had my hand broken. I won that time, but in the following fight versus Ihsan Yildirim Tarhan I used only one hand and the luck wasn’t on my side after that.

Fighting in the amateur ranks, you met many of today’s light heavyweight, cruiserweight or super middleweight stal*****. Bring us some names and results in your mutual amateur encounters.

I fought with former world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Utkirbek Haydarov twice. The first time I lost him on points in Baku, 2003. The next fight, it was in Serbia 2005, I got a decision. I also won my fight against 2005 Asian and world champion Erdos Dzhanabergenov. I met Ali Ismailov twice (WBO #11 cruiserweight). The first time I stopped him during the world championship in 2003 by TKO, and the second time I won on points in the international tournament in Pakistan, 2003.

You have fought your last amateur bout in 2004. Your official pro debut is dated by the 17th of November, 2007. What have you been doing for almost three years? Was that kind of hiatus a crucial one or it was just a creative vacation?

I was a little bit disappointed in boxing after the broken hand in the Athens Olympics and decided to take a break and start my professional career as a businessman.

Tell us more about your first fights in USA.

On November 17, 2007, I was fighting with Walter Edwards in Wilson, NC. The fight was very easy and before the referee stopped it, I knocked that guy down twice.

Who is your manager and who is your promoter right now? Do you plan a transition under more sound promotional brands in the near future?

I am self-managed and self-promoted. From the beginning of my pro career I arranged all of my fights myself and never had any other managers or promoters. I have my own company KZ Event Productions, Inc. and plan to enlarge my business by promoting myself and other talented fighters.

You fought three times overseas and then there was a string of three consecutive fights in Kazakhstan. What was the reason for coming back home?

After my three fights in America, I was not allowed to fight more than six rounds, and I felt that I am ready to last 10-12 rounds at least with top-echelon fighters in my weight division. That’s why the following three bouts were organized in Kazakhstan.

How were you able to get such a stellar opponent in Montell Griffin in your sixth pro fight, considering you were fighting in Kazakhstan?

I have some connections with matchmakers and promoters in the USA who helped me to contact Montell Griffin’s team.

You started aggressively, rocking Griffin several times in the very first round, and continued to dominate over the course of the fight. Why didn’t you stop the former champion?

Montell Griffin is a very mature and professional boxer and I didn’t have enough experience to stop him. That fight was good for me and I learned a lot, fixed some of my mistakes, and improved my skills since then.

Tell us more about your fight with Epifanio Mendoza.

I dominated and controlled the whole match. My tactics worked as I planned and I had no doubt that I would win the fight. Epifanio Mendoza is a tough fighter and amazed me with his good chin.

Boxing fans and experts are quite amazed with the aggressiveness of your matchmaking. Don’t you feel you are moving along a bit too fast?

I haven’t reached the limit in mastering my skills yet, and I am always trying to improve my mastership and reach the highest level possible. When I chose to fight Montell Griffin and Epifanio Mendoza, I was prepared to beat them. I feel that I am ready to fight the boxers from the top list of the light heavyweight division.

It seemed so that though your technical skills can hardly be underestimated, you are relying more on your aggressiveness and power punching in the ring. Why so and don’t you feel that your defense is worth of polishing?

With every bout I am learning and fixing my mistakes. I disagree with your comment about weakness of my defense; I saw every attempt of my opponent’s thrown punches, blocked and got away from them. I missed several punches, but nobody is perfect.

What are you plans for the immediate future? When shall we see you in the ring next?

I’m working on my next event that will take place in February, 2009.

What are your plans in boxing? Are you planning to win a world title and when?

I’m planning to fight for the world title at the end of 2009 or at the beginning of 2010.

Don’t you think about a possible move towards cable TV networks and fighting, say, on ESPN or Shobox: The New Generation?

I don’t want to be showcased on TV very much because I see my skills might be improved and I haven’t reached everything I am able for.

Tell us more about your company KZ Event Productions and its activities? What is the role of your brother Chingis Shumenov?

KZ Event Productions, Inc. was organized by my brother and me because I don’t want to fight under other promotional companies or somebody else’s management. I would like to make decisions on my own about myself and helping other talented boxers to grow.

What is your take on your countrymen such as Vitaly Demyanenko or Semen Uporov? What do you think about their perspectives and what do you think of the current state of pro boxing in Kazakhstan?

Vitaly Demyanenko and Semen Uporov are promising fighters and rate high in the prestige boxing organizations. I hope, they will reach everything they want for themselves, and maybe one day, we’ll see them as world champions. There are a lot of talented boxers in Kazakhstan, but, unfortunately, we don’t have enough specialists in that field to help them to grow. Pro boxing is not very popular in our country yet. You didn’t mention one more boxer, Gennady Golovkin. I think he is a very talented and phenomenal fighter, who is already prepared to win the world title.

What is your opinion about 2008 Beijing gold medalist Bakhyt Sarsekbayev? Rumors are widespread he is turning pro pretty soon. Will it not be under your promotion?

I’ve known Bakhyt Sarsekbayev for a long time. I respect him as a very good fighter and will help him with anything he needs. As for Bakhyt’s performance during 2008 Olympics, it was amazing. He was great, and if he goes pro, he has everything to win the world title.

Your final thought and words for our readers?

Thank you for your support and interest in my career. I wish everybody Happy Holidays, peace, joy and prosperity in the New Year!

[deanrw]

So he is self promoted and going after tough competition already. Any way you want to slice it, that demands mad respect.



here is a clip of the Griffin fight.

[deanrw]

bump for the day crowd

[The Hammer]

I never heard of him until a friend on another site told me about him. He is from Kazakhstan and has a 7-0 record. What is significant though is his last two fights have been against Montell Griffin and Epifanio Mendoza, which is very impressive for a guy basically just starting his pro career.

This guy is a real prospect!

I've been following his career.

He sure is moving himself along quickly - it will be interesting to see who he fights next - maybe JC Gonzalez?

[Fox McCloud]

I've been following his career.

He sure is moving himself along quickly - it will be interesting to see who he fights next - maybe JC Gonzalez?

Man, that might even be a step down from the two names he just got, after how Gonzalez looked against Cloud.

This guy sounds like another Povetkin in the making. No nonsense, big name off the bat good fighter.

We need more of these guys in the sport.