LAS VEGAS (August 30, 2010) – WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov took the fast track to become world champion, establishing a weight-class record along the way, and now he wants to accelerate his road to stardom.

Shumenov is set on a mission to unify the titles starting with his next bout, hopefully before the year is out.

“I want a unification fight next,” Shumenov said. “I’m ready to fight any of the other champions now. (Jean) Pascal and (Tavoris) Cloud are both good champions and I’d love to fight either one. Throw in world champion Jurgen Brahmer, too. My goal is to unify the titles. I have a lot of respect for all of the other champions but I want their titles.”

“It’s unheard of, a fighter that wants one challenge after another so early in their career,” said Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “But this is what boxing needs, the most competitive and biggest fights that can be made. The networks should ONLY be looking at these young champions to be facing off with one another. Beibut wants to give the fans want they want to see.”

Shumenov (10-1, 6 KOs), born in Kazakhstan and now living in Las Vegas, wasn’t looking to pad his record from the day he turned pro 2 ½ years ago, after he represented Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics.

In his third pro fight, he took on 70-fight veteran Shannon Miller, who was put to sleep in the fourth round of their fight in Memphis, followed only three weeks later in Kazakhstan by a second-round knockout of former WBC Continental Americas champion Donnell Wiggins (24-10-4) for the WBC Asian Boxing Council and Interim PABA light heavyweight belts.

Next up for Shumenov were successful title defenses of the aforementioned crowns, in addition to capturing the vacant WBO Asia Pacific belt against Lavell Finger (26-2) who didn’t make it out of the opening round. Fighting at home for the third straight fight, Shumenov stepped-up to face his stiffest test, former WBC and WBA light heavyweight champion, Montell Griffin (49-7), who sported wins against world champions James Toney (twice) and Roy Jones, Jr. Shumenov pitched a complete, 12-round shutout, winning the unanimous decision by scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-107.

Back in the U.S., Shumenov squared-off against world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza (28-6-1), who had lost to Chad Dawson in their 2007 world title fight and a year later by a controversial decision to former world champion Jeff Lacy. Beibut defeated Mendoza in Bellevue, Washington by 10-round unanimous decision (100-90, 98-92, 97-93).

From that point on it’s been all world championship fights for Shumenov, who captured the IBA crown last year in Kazakhstan, stopping 2-time world super middleweight champion Byron Mitchell (27-4-1) in the fourth round. In his ninth pro fight, Shumenov unsuccessfully challenged WBA titlist Gabriel Campillo in Kazakhstan, losing a hotly contested, questionable 12-round majority decision.

Beibut bounced back strong in another back-and-forth rematch this past January, winning a 12-round decision against Campillo for the WBA belt in only his 10th pro fight. Shumenov shattered the previous world record for fewest professional fights to capture a major World light heavyweight title, 15, set by Jeff “Hit Man” Harding in 1989.

In his first WBA title defense (July 23) on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Shumenov showed the valuable lessons learned from the prior two Campillo bouts, to totally dominate mandatory challenger and previously unbeaten Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 13 KOs), displaying speed, aggressiveness and fearlessness right through the closing seconds en route to an overwhelming unanimous decision (118-108, 118-108, 117-109).

His impressive fight against the Ukrainian was only his second with head trainer, Kevin Barry, and first fighting for Goossen Tutor Promotions. The classy Kazakh showed tremendous ability and fought his way side-by-side with the other 175-pound champions. “I have the best trainer in the world, Kevin, and I was 100-percent dedicated to training and completely focused on Uzelkov alone because I signed with Goossen Tutor,” Beibut explained.

Shumenov joined featherweight Aratoly Alexandrov, heavyweight, Oleg “Big O’ Maskaev and cruiserweight Vassily “The Tiger” Jirov as the only Kazakh-born professional world boxing champions.

On the fast track outside of the ring, too, Beibut has a law degree, speaks five languages (Russian, Kazakh, English, Turkish and Uzbek), and along with his brother, Chingis, own a full-service boxing promotional company based in Las Vegas, NV. KZ Event Productions fighters include unbeaten, WBA #9-rated light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and undefeated welterweight, WBA #14 Ravshan Hudaynazrov.

KZ Event Productions, Inc.

Based in Las Vegas, KZ Event Productions is owned by the Shumenov brothers, World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, Beibut, and Chingis. KZ Event Productions is a full service, international boxing promotional company. Go to www.kzeventproductions.com http://www.kzeventproductions.com/> for more information about the company and its fighters.

-KZ-

CONTACT:

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtcp@hotmail.com

WBA light heavyweight (175 pounds) titlist and former Olympian Beibut Shumenov got up from a first-round knockdown, floored his opponent at the bell ending the third round, and was generally busier in out-hustling Vyacheslav Uzelkov, of Vinitza, Ukraine, on the way to Friday night’s unanimous, 12-round decision at The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

A 26-year-old from Kazakhstan who became a champion in just his 10th fight, Shemov had perhaps his best, overall career performance in making the first defense of his crown against the 31-year-old Uzelkov.

Shumenov took the bout, 118-108 on two judges’ cards, and, 117-109 on the third. A recent signee with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Shumenov rose to 10-1, with six knockouts, having won the title with January’s disputed split-decision that dethroned Spanish southpaw Gabriel Campillo (19-3, six KOs).

Beibut Shumenov retained his light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Vyacheslav Uzelkov on Friday Night in Lemoore, California. The fight was the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

Shumenov started out strong, landing hard shots to the body of Uzelkov on a night that featured in-ring temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. Seeming to conserve his energy, Uzelkov opted to throw one big shot at a time. Uzelkov exploded with a left hook in the first round that sent the champion to the canvas. Shumenov responded with a knockdown of his own in the third round, sending Uzelkov to the mat with a straight right.

By Trent Pusey

HISTORY MAKING WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MAKES ESPN2 DEBUT ON JULY 23RD
AT TACHI PALACE HOTEL & CASINO

Los Angeles, CA (June 24, 2010) – When capturing the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship in just his 10th professional bout back in January, Beibut Shumenov
(9-1, 6 KOs) entered the boxing record books for winning a major world title in the light heavyweight division with the fewest number of fights in his professional career, beating Jeff Harding’s record established in 1988 after winning the championship in his 15th professional bout.

On July 23rd, the Chimkent, Kazakhstan-born, Las Vegas, NV-based warrior, who recently signed with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will get his next chance at making history when he defends his WBA and IBA titles in only his 11th professional bout against mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs) of Vinitza, Ukraine, in the scheduled 12-round main event of the ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” (10pm ET/7pm PT).

Presented by Goossen Tutor in association with KZ Event Productions, the Shumenov-Uzelkov headlined boxing card will emanate from a specially constructed outdoor arena at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, CA.

The Kevin Barry-trained, self- managed Shumenov, 26, avenged his only loss as a pro – by majority decision — in winning the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship from Gabriel Campillo in another 12-round hotly-contested bout — in just his 10th fight.

On May 8th in Carson, CA, Shumenov was introduced at a press conference announcing the signing with Goossen Tutor, which will allow him to be more focused for his own boxing career, starting with the defense against Uzelkov. As co-owner — with brother Chingis — of KZ Event Productions, Beibut Shumenov will continue to be heavily involved in signing and guiding the careers of boxers under the KZ umbrella.

The mental toll on a fighter who is actually fighting and promoting simultaneously can be, and usually is, horrific. Now with the burden of the day-in, day-out promotional responsibilities now resting on Goossen Tutor’s shoulders, Shumenov, for the first time in his career will truly be able to concentrate on the formable task immediately in front of him; WBA mandatory challenger Uzelkov.

“I’ve been able to concentrate 100-percent on training for the first time in my career with the alignment with Goossen Tutor,” Shumenov said. “I’ve been training hard with Kevin just focusing on improving all aspects of my arsenal, and everyone will see that against Uzelkov. He is a good fighter who deserves his championship opportunity and I know it’s going to be a great fight. I can’t wait for July 23rd. It’s going to be a night of firsts for me – first WBA title defense; first time fighting on ESPN; and first fight without having to worry about promoting.”

The undefeated, heavy-handed Uzelkov, 31, has been taken the distance just once in his last 10 bouts. In his most recent outing back in October, he stopped the Czech Republic’s Tomas Adamek in the fifth round to win the WBA Inter-Continental Championship in Kiev, Ukraine. Uzelkov owns a knockout win over Gabriel Campillo – the only common opponent he has with Shumenov. Uzelkov is promoted by brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, who head up K2 Promotions Ukraine.

“It is necessary to knock him (Shumenov) out so there are no questions, and as a matter of fact, that is exactly what I plan to do,” Uzelkov said. Shumenov had the title for a little while and now it will transfer over to me.”

Promoter Dan Goossen said he couldn’t have picked a tougher fight for his new champion then Uzelkov. “These are the type of challenges that definitely take you to the next level with a victory. It won’t be easy on July 23, but we believe Beibut is destined to do special things in boxing.”

A victory for Shumenov puts him into position to unify the light heavyweight belts against the other champions: Tavoris Cloud (IBF), Jean Pascal (WBC) and Juergen Braehmer (WBO). But the one real challenge Shumenov would like is against undefeated Chad Dawson.

First things first though as Shumenov can only think about taking care of the very dangerous and hungry challenger on July 23.

In addition to the main event bout, Rico Ramos (16-0, 9 KOs), the #3 WBO world rated Super Bantamweight will defend his WBO/NABO championship against Mexico’s hard-punching Cuauhtemoc Vargas (15-3-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round fight. With a win, Ramos will be one step closer to his goal of fighting for the world championship.

Tickets for this exciting event are priced at: $20, $50, $60 and $250 and can be purchased by calling the Tachi Palace box office at: 559-924-7751 or by visiting www.tickets.com.

- GTP -

For more Information: 

Marylyn Aceves
Goossen Tutor Promotions
818-817-8001/213-494-4929
marylyn@goossentutor.com

Larry Rosoff
Goossen Tutor Promotions
818-817-8001/508-395-1756
larry@goossentutor.com

Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
978-664-4482
bobfcp@hotmail.com

Jeremy Luchau
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino
559-925-2754
jluchau@thepalace.net

Uzbekistan welterweight prospect Ravshan Hudaynazarov, now fighting out of Las Vegas, kept unbeaten record intact this past Friday night (May 14), stopping veteran Gerardo Cesar Prieto at 2:20 of the second round in their scheduled 6-round bout, off-television bout on the ESPN Friday Night Fights show, presented by Guilty Boxing and Vega Boxing Promotions, at Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena in Primm, Nevada.

In his second fight as a welterweight, after fighting as a junior middleweight in his first 10 as a pro, 2007 World Military Games gold medalist Hudaynazarov (12-0, 10 KOs), bullied Prieto all around the ring before the fight was halted after another vicious left hook to the body. It marked the third Ravshan’s fifth straight victory by knockout, all via body shots.

Hudaynazarov is promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, the Las Vegas-based company owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, Beibut, and Chingis, who were both in attendance at the Primm show.

“Ravshan can be a real force in the welterweight division,” new WBA World Champion Beibut Shumenov said. “He’s improving every fight and his body work is great. We thank the promoters, Guilty Boxing’s Jeff Grmoja and Vega Boxing’s Ron Sanderson, for putting Ravshan on their card.”

Hudaynazarov is tentatively slated to fight on the undercard of Shumenov’s (9-1, 6 KOs) first title defense in June or July against WBA mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs) at a site to be determined.

-KZ-

WON WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN IN RECORD FASHION

Los Angeles, CA (May 8, 2010) – In its nearly 30 years in the boxing industry Promoter Dan Goossen has grown accustomed to developing many young boxers from the amateur ranks into World Champions. Now, Goossen Tutor Promotions has entered into a promotional agreement with a boxer who holds a World Championship title belt with the goal of developing him into a Marquee World Champion.

“It is with great pleasure and honor that WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion, Beibut Shumenov, has agreed to provide Goossen Tutor with the privilege of being his promoter,” Goossen revealed at a press conference held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA just hours before his company’s “THE WEIGHT IS OVER” promotion featuring Paul “The Punisher” Williams against Kermit Cintron in a scheduled 12-round super welterweight bout.

“This is just another facet we’ve worked for so many years, World Champions having the trust and confidence in our organization to bring them to another level,” Goossen expounded, “we will not disappoint Beibut nor his very astute advisor, Cary Lynn Redlin.”

Shumenov carries the distinction of winning the Light Heavyweight World Championship with the fewest number of professional fights under his belt, having won the title in just his 10th professional bout in a January 2010 rematch of a controversial loss against Spain’s Gabriel Campillo.

An amazing accomplishment for a young man who is still developing in his own right!

A 26-year old native of Chimkent, Kazakhstan, currently living and training in Las Vegas, NV with renowned trainer Kevin Barry, the 6-2, 175 lb. Shumenov (9-1, 6 KOs) is among the most unique figures to explode on the boxing scene in recent memory.

Following an outstanding amateur career in which he represented his native country as a Silver medalist in the first-ever Afro-Asian Games in India in 2003; as a Gold medal winner in the 2004 Asian Championships in the Philippines; and as a member of its Olympic Boxing Team in Athens, Greece the same year, Shumenov and his brother, Chingis, moved to Las Vegas and formed KZ Event Productions, Inc. in 2007.

Shumenov then turned pro under his own promotional umbrella and debuted with a first-round stoppage of Walter Edwards in Wilson, NC. In his next seven fights, this remarkable warrior would go on to face – and defeat — a pair of former world champions in Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell, as well as Epifanio Mendoza, who had an unsuccessful world title challenge against WBC champion Chad Dawson.

Then, in August of last year, came the disputed loss to Campillo by majority decision in Shumenov’s first attempt at a World Championship — in Beibut’s home country of Kazakhstan. A rematch was ordered by the WBA and Shumenov captured the title by split-decision in Las Vegas earlier this year.

In becoming the WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion in just his 10th bout, Shumenov shattered the previous record of 15 bouts by Jeff Harding back in 1989. He also became the fourth boxer from Kazakhstan to win a professional world title. The others were Anatoly Alexandrov (WBC Super Featherweight, in 1990), Oleg Maskaev (WBC Heavyweight, 2000) and Vassily Jirov (IBF Cruiserweight, 2001).

And now Shumenov – who, along with his brother, Chingis, will continue to sign and develop talent for KZ Event Productions, Inc. – has decided to have Goossen Tutor promote his boxing matches so he can give one-hundred percent focus on training and becoming the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

“I’m excited about this arrangement with Dan (Goossen), one of the leading promoters in boxing today,” Shumenov declared. “They get a lot of television dates and have a strong stable of boxers and they always seem to maximize the opportunity for their boxers. That is all I can ask for… I will do the rest.”

“Being a world champion and promoter and all the work that goes into that, especially when I’m in training for a fight, makes it very difficult for me. I need to concentrate on training, which I’ll now be able to do and let Dan and his great team at Goossen Tutor handle the business outside the ring. KZ Event Productions will still be promoting shows and my brother and I will still be involved with our KZ fighters and signing new talent. I look forward to even bigger and better things working with Goossen Tutor.”

Shumenov’s first fight under the Goossen Tutor banner is expected to take place in July in the United States against the very tough and undefeated Ukrainian Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs), the mandatory challenger for the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship.

LAS VEGAS (May 12, 2010) – Hot Uzbekistan welterweight prospect Ravshan Hudaynazarov, now fighting out of Las Vegas, puts his undefeated record on the line Friday night (May 14) against veteran Gerardo Cesar Prieto in a 6-round, off-television bout on the ESPN Friday Night Fights show, presented by Guilty Boxing and Vega Boxing Promotions, at Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena in Primm, Nevada. Hudaynazarov-Prieto is on the undercard of the Julio Diaz-Herman Ngoudjo card.

Hudaynazarov (12-0, 10 KOs), a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, dropped down from junior middleweight to the more high-profile welterweight division for the first in his last fight (March 27), when his lethal body attack stopped Anthony “The Matrix” Mora (15-6, 10 KOs) in the opening round

Hudaynazarov is promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, the Las Vegas-based company owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, Beibut, and Chingis, who will both be in attendance at the Primm show.

“Ravshan is a top prospect and he’s much stronger at welterweight,” new WBA World Champion Beibut Shumenov said. “His vicious body shots breakdown opponents and that exciting style has become his trademark. Ravshan works hard. He has improved each fight and we’re going to keep him busy. Prieto has been in against world champion Andre Berto and took U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan the distance, so this figures to be the stiffest test of Ravshan’s young pro career. We’d like to thank the promoters, Guilty Boxing’s Jeff Grmoja and Vega Boxing’s Ron Sanderson, for putting Ravshan on this card.”

Shumenov (9-1, 6 KOs), who recently signed a promotional contract with Goossen-Tutor, will defend his title in June or July against WBA mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs) at a site to be determined. Hudaynazarov is tentatively slated to fight on the undercard.

Uzbekistan prospects, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and welterweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, both kept their unbeaten records intact by winning their bouts last Saturday night (Mar. 27) on a Don Chargin Productions/Jorge Marron Productions card at the Karma Club in Victorville, California.

Ahmedov (14-0-1, 9 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, recently cracked the World Boxing Association ratings and he is currently ranked No. 14 in the world. Gayrat is the reigning WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim light heavyweight champion.

In his non-title fight, main event bout, Ahmedov took on 45-fight veteran Demetrius Davis, who holds upset wins against Joseph Kiwanuka and Brian Norman, and fought a draw with Tommy Karpency. The durable Davis also went the distance with former world champion Eric Lucas and world title challengers Thomas Tate and Omar Sheika. Ahmedov landed the harder and more effective punches to win an 8-round decision.

Hudaynazarov (11-0, 9 KOs), a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, dropped down from junior middleweight to the more competitive welterweight for the first time against a dangerous opponent in Anthony “The Matrix” Mora (15-6, 10 KOs). Ravshan used his lethal body attack once again, dropping Mora twice with left hooks, the last time resulting in a knockout at 2:59 of the opening round.

Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov are promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, the Las Vegas-based company owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, Beibut, and Chingis.

-KZ

LOS ANGELES, January 25 – A pair of unbeaten prospects from Uzbekistan, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, are set to make their United States debuts in separate bouts on January 29 on the Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov II card at The Joint at Hark Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, and Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KOs) a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, have been training in North Carolina with veteran trainer Don Turner in preparation for their January 29 bouts. Both fighters are promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, January 29 main event challenger Beibut and Chingis.

In his last fight, Ahmedov knocked out Douglas Otieno (19-2, 9 KO’s) in the opening round on the Campillo-Shumenov I card, capturing the PABA light heavyweight belts that Shumenov relinquished prior to challenging Campillo in their WBA Light Heavyweight Championship match last August in Kazakhstan.

“I’m excited for this fight because one of my goals has always been to fight in Las Vegas,” the personable Ahmedov explained. “I have trained in Las Vegas, but this will be my first time fighting there. The Shumenov brothers are the reason I am fighting in the United States and I’m thankful to them. Beibut is a fighter himself, so he knows what it takes to be a champion and understands what a fighter goes through so he treats us like people.”

Ahmedov continued, “If everything goes as planned and I win this fight, Beibut has talked about getting me a shot at a world title in 2010. Because Beibut and I are like brothers, so even though we are in the same weight class, we will never fight each other. We want to both be world champions together, just for different organizations.”

Ravshan also fought on the Campillo-Shumenov I event, stopping veteran Joseph Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KO’s) in the sixth round to keep his perfect pro record intact. “I’m very happy to be fighting January 29 in Las Vegas,” Ravshan said. “It’s been one of my dreams to fight there. I want to thank my promoter, KZ Event Productions, for giving me the opportunity to fight in the United States. I want to wish Beibut luck in his bout and that I hope that he wins the world title. This is a very important fight for him and all of us with KZ Event Productions and I’m very happy to be promoted by KZ and grateful for what they’ve given me. I will not let them or the fans down on January 29 as I’m going to give everybody a good fight to watch, so don’t miss it.”

Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov are scheduled to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined.

“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between the defending champion, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs). The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.

In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) takes on veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s), winner of hit reality television show The Contender II, in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

CONTACTS:
Ramiro Gonzalez/Monica Sears, Golden Boy Promotions: (213) 489-5631
Cary Redlin, KZ Event Productions: (702) 496-0777
Fred Sternburg, Sternburg Communications: (303) 740-7746
Dorian Cantrell, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: (702) 693.5086
Chris Bellitti, Fox Sports Net: (212) 556-2477
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press: (978) 664-4482
For Media Credentials: Email Jamie Vargas (GBP1@goldenboypromotions.com)

Trainer of former heavyweight contender David Tua receives second chance with talented Beibut Shumenov
By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun

The former Olympic boxer, now Las Vegas-based trainer Kevin Barry, isn’t calling Jan. 29 his “comeback” exactly.

Still, the 50-year-old trainer admits that the thought of chasing a world boxing title again has added excitement to his life.

“I’ve been involved in boxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts for the last few years, so I wouldn’t use the word comeback,” Barry said. “But as far as having a fighter competing at the highest level, this is the first time in awhile.

“So that situation by itself sort of makes things a little more exciting for me.”

For the last two months, Barry, who acted as trainer and manager of former heavyweight contender David Tua from 1992 to 2003, has been working closely with light heavyweight standout Beibut Shumenov in Las Vegas.

The two will get the first opportunity to track their progress Jan. 29, as Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO) is set to face Gabriel Campillo for the WBA light heavyweight championship at the Hard Rock Hotel. The championship fight is a rematch of their August fight in which Campillo took a close, majority decision.
If Shumenov is successful in claiming the title, he will become the first world champion Barry has trained in his long career.

Earlier in his career, Tua came close to giving his trainer that satisfaction, but he ultimately never claimed a world title.

“The biggest disappointment I had of Tua is that he never wore the heavyweight belt,” Barry said. “He won other belts but never a world championship. He knocked out guys that wore the belt, but he never wore it himself.”

Barry said he initially was hesitant to work with Shumenov, despite the 26-year-old’s early success as a professional.

After representing his home country of Kazakhstan in the Olympics in 2004, Shumenov turned pro in 2007 and shortly thereafter moved to Las Vegas.
He went undefeated in his first eight fights, including wins over two former world champions — Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell.

Despite his success however, Shumenov remained unhappy with his trainer situation and eventually made a strong request to Barry, whom he met in 2007, to become his full-time man.

Even though Barry turned down the offer at first, he ended up taking the job in November when Shumenov came to him a second time.
“I was doing other things, and I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to give 100 percent of myself into chasing a boxing title again,” Barry said. “To be truthful, it was my wife that said to me, ‘Kevin, you have to do this for yourself.’

“After one week, I knew she was right. I’m thrilled I made this decision.”

It’s been more than six years since Barry last cornered the electric Tua, who fought the likes of Lennox Lewis, Hasim Rahman and John Ruiz.

The two was an uncommon duo at the time. Both fighter and trainer hailed from New Zealand, and Barry remembers there were many skeptics when Tua made the decision to begin his professional career at the age of 19.

“It was a unique story,” Barry said. “We both came from New Zealand and it had never been done before. No one thought it could be done. I was with him when he turned pro at 19 and was still washing dishes.

“A lot of people thought I was going to get him killed. Of course, we proved everyone wrong.”

Tua started his career 27-0 and built a reputation as one of the best power punchers in the world. Some of his best moments, in Barry’s opinion, included a 19-second knockout over Ruiz in 1996 and a 30-second knockout of Michael Moorer in 2002.

“The 19-second knockout of John Ruiz is forever embedded in my memory,” Barry said. “And we spent the whole camp before the Moorer fight working on a right hook, because everyone knew he had a left hook. He threw the right and knocked Moorer out cold.
“It was the greatest time. What we achieved was fantastic, and those are the things I’m excited about to be a part of again.”
What Barry is hoping to forget is the way his relationship with Tua ended — a long court battle between the two over financial matters that lasted nearly six years.

According to Barry, the bittersweet ending of that relationship was another factor in his reluctance to get involved with professional boxing again.
“It left an enormously sour taste in my mouth,” Barry said. “We had some great experiences together for 12 years and then it ended in a massive court battle that lasted six years. I lost a lot of faith in fighters because of it.”

Shumenov has replaced some of that lost faith in Barry now, as the trainer said he can see himself staying in this partnership “for a long time.”
No matter what happens later this month, it’s clear Barry is enjoying his second chance at the highest level of the sport.

“I hear from my closest friends they can see it,” Barry said. “I haven’t had this drive, this purpose or this hunger since Tua. I consider myself very lucky that here I am in my first with Beitbut, and he’s challenging for the title.

“I’m excited about this fight and I’m excited about the future.”