The first time I caught Kazakhstan native Beibut Shumenov in action I had mixed emotions. Facing off with then-WBA light heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in January of last year, and trying to avenge the sole loss of his career, Shumenov found himself in a bloody battle as he was pushed to the limit.
Campillo, the tough Spaniard with an awkward yet effective southpaw style, appeared to seize the initiative over the second half of the fight and his corner men and supporters were livid when it was announced that he had lost his titles via split-decision. Just as heartbreak was setting in for Campillo, so too was the reality that Shumenov was now a champion, the quickest ever to capture a belt at 175 pounds in just his 9th pro fight.
Shumenov was born in Kazakhstan in August of 1983 and relocated to Las Vegas in 2007 to pursue his professional career. And to his credit, all he has done since that life-and-death battle with Campillo is win repeatedly, most recently having defended his crown on July 29th at the South Point Hotel and Casino by way of 9th round TKO over former Contender contestant Danny Santiago.
