The light heavyweight division is not lacking for star power.
Both Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev come to the ring bearing title belts and fearsome reputations, while the tale of Bernard Hopkins has been told repeatedly since he was a young man of 40 — precisely nine years ago.
A name you don’t hear so often, however, belongs to one Beibut Shumenov.
The 30-year-old was born in Kazakhstan, lives in Las Vegas and was actually a championship commodity at 175 pounds before any of the heralded contemporaries earned their current laurels.
Still, until he landed a fight with the latter member of the famed trio — which takes place when he faces Hopkins on Saturday night in Washington, D.C. — Shumenov had been hard pressed to get anyone to pay attention, let alone respect.
“I’ve been dreaming all of my life for this moment,” he said. “I’ve been ready to fight at this level for several years. I couldn’t get there on my own.”
Now that he’s arrived, he’ll put the World Boxing Association title that he’s held since 2010 up against the International Boxing Federation crown that Hopkins has worn since last year — in the main event of a three-bout card to be broadcast by Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.
Hopkins weighed in Friday at 172 1/2 pounds, two pounds lighter than Shumenov’s 174 1/2.
The show will also include a defense by unbeaten World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Peter Quillin against Czech veteran Lucas Konecny, as well as an IBF welterweight title match between champion Shawn Porter and challenger Paulie Malignaggi.
“Hard work and preparation has been done. I am fighting one of the greatest ever, who beat so many other legends and great fighters,” Shumenov said. “I am ready to show the world what I’m capable of. I will show the world that I am the best light heavyweight champion.”
Hopkins, a pro since 1988 — when Shumenov was 5 — is widely assumed to be pursuing Stevenson, who holds the World Boxing Council title in the division and recently made a jump from appearing on HBO to Showtime, where he’ll defend his title next month.
Should both Hopkins and Stevenson win, a match for what would then be three title belts is expected later this year.
But Hopkins, naturally, insists he’s not taking Shumenov for granted.
“Get ready for school, student,” he told his foe at the final fight-week press conference. “No disrespect. It’s logic. I am the professor with a Ph.D.”
TALE OF THE TAPE Bernard Hopkins Beibut Shumenov Record 54-6-2, 32 KOs 14-1, 9 KOs Height 6-1 6-2 Reach 75″ 74″ Weight 172 1/2 pounds 174 1/2 pounds Age 49 30 Stance Orthodox Orthodox Hometown Philadelphia, Pa. Shymkent, Kazakhstan Rounds 482 101
How does Hopkins win? He’s an old man and he’s able to control the pace thanks to years of ring wisdom, but it’s not as if Hopkins was an offensive machine in his younger days. He manages to make younger and presumably stronger opponents slow their work rates and thereby takes away their inherent advantages. Plus, in recent years, he’s shown a far more varied stylistic game. Do it to Shumenov and he’ll win again.
How does Shumenov win? Many Hopkins opponents are beaten mentally before the reach the ring, and the fight itself merely turns into the 12-round byproduct of one man making another believe the ring is littered with traps that will be activated by an all-out effort. Shumenov has only had 15 pro fights, and if he approaches this one with a young man’s zeal and tries to outwork and overpower Hopkins, he could thrive.
Prediction: Hopkins by unanimous decision In reality, Shumenov’s two most significant attributes for this fight are his title belt and his willingness to appear on Showtime. It’s a chance for Hopkins to add a championship log to the Adonis Stevenson fire and continue an unlikely run that began shortly after Jermain Taylor chased him from the middleweights nine years ago. Unless Bernard instantly turns 49, it’s another chapter for the legend.
TALE OF THE TAPE Shawn Porter Paulie Malignaggi Record 23-0-1, 14 KOs 33-5, 7 KOs Height 5-7 5-8 Reach 69 1/2″ 70″ Weight 146 3/4 pounds 146 1/4 pounds Age 26 33 Stance Orthodox Orthodox Hometown Akron, Ohio Brooklyn, N.Y. Rounds 129 310
How does Porter win? The Ohioan was in against a clever and athletic boxer in his last fight against Devon Alexander and was the stronger, more energetic and more determined man for the majority of the rounds. He faces an older foe here who’s trickier than Alexander, but has less firepower and has traveled far more miles in the ring. Step on the gas hard and often and it’ll be tough for Malignaggi to keep up.
How does Malignaggi win? Every time it looks like the ?Magic Man? has reached the end of his competitive rope — as it did when he faced a younger and stronger Adrien Broner last June ? he comes back and is able to cheat the grim reaper with another career-saver. Zab Judah was the unwilling victim of the latest return, and Paulie can keep it going if he can frustrate and flummox his less-schooled foe and turn him sloppy.
Prediction: Porter by unanimous decision It’s nearly impossible not to like Malignaggi. He’s approachable, engaging and does a terrific job as an analyst on Showtime’s broadcasts. But in this case, the match with Broner will be indicative. He simply can’t shuck and jive his way through 12 rounds anymore against an opponent who’s big, strong, hungry and smart enough not to lose his composure. Porter starts fast and lands better over the full 12.
TALE OF THE TAPE Peter Quillin Lucas Konecny
Record 30-0, 22 KOs 50-4, 23 KOs Height 5-11 5-8 Reach 73″ 70″ Weight 159 4/5 pounds 158 1/4 pounds Age 30 35 Stance Orthodox Orthodox Hometown Chicago, Ill. Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic Rounds 136 360
How does Quillin win? The third-most heralded of the middleweight champions, Quillin is nonetheless the one to turn to when you’re seeking highlights. He scored six knockdowns in winning his WBO title and has scored 11 knockdowns in his last three fights. His aggression could pay off here against an older foe who’s more used to being hit by 154-pounders, not a young, tough 160-pounder.
How does Konecny win? Of course, while Quillin is no doubt exciting, he’s also on the receiving end of more than a champion’s share of punches. And there are more than a few people who think Gabriel Rosado was on his way to a rallying when he was stopped by a cut. If the Czech is able to weather an early storm against a guy fueled to make an impression, he may reap the benefits in the fight’s second half.
Prediction: Quillin by TKO in 9 It’s by no means a definite that Quillin will ever get his true barometer fights at 160 against Sergio Martinez or Gennady Golovkin, but it won’t be for lack of trying. Konecny is an older and smaller opponent who has all the ingredients of an opponent who’ll make ?Kid Chocolate? look spectacular. Expect mayhem and punishment on the way to a ninth-round intervention in Quillin’s favor.
