March 26, 2009
Shumenov-Berrio is on!
By Alexey Sukachev, fightnews.com

While sceptics question his remarkable determination and desire to be matched tough, Kazakh light heavyweight prospect Beibut Shumenov (7-0, 5 KOs) shows no signs of slowing down. Next for Shumenov, who is ranked #8 by the WBA, #9 by the WBO and#16 by the WBC, is a twelve-round clash against former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro Berrio (28-5, 27 KOs) of Columbia. The contract between two respective parties was signed yesterday. This fight will most probably be held on the open air at Khadjimukan stadium in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, on May 9; however, the exact date depends on weather condtitions and can be moved slightly in future. A vacant IBA light heavyweight title will be for grabs. Power-punching Berrio, IBF #9 ranked contender, posted two easy victories over non-descript opposition in 2008 following his spirited TKO 11 loss to Lucian Bute in November 2007. He is to become the second former world champion after Montell Griffin to collide with Shumenov in his yet short but already sound pro career.

January 20, 2009
Бейбут Шуменов в первой десятке (Данияр Каримжан)

Успехи перспективного казахстанского боксера полутяжелого веса (79,4-кг) Бейбута Шуменова не остались не замеченными. Так одна из ведущих боксерских организаций WBO, в последнем рейтинге поставила Шуменова на 9 место. Напомним, что чемпионом по этой версии является венгр Жолт Эрдей. Столь высокую позицию, несмотря на малое количество проведенных боев, он заслужил благодаря двум громким победам над титулованными американцем Монтелом Гриффиным и колумбийцем Эпифанио Мендозой. В обновленном списке лучших по версий WBO опередил таких известных бойцов, как Юрий Барашьян, Элвир Мурики и Юрген Бремер. О хороших перспективах Бейбута Шуменова высказывается большинство специалистов бокса. Одним из тех, на кого казахстанец произвел весьма сильное впечатление, является знаменитый российский менеджер Влад Хрюнов. Влад Хрюнов, менеджер официального претендента на звание чемпиона мира по версии IBF в супертяжелом весе Александра Поветкина: - Сразу, что бросается в глаза это то, что Шуменов очень выносливый боксер. То есть, последний бой против Мендозы это его седьмой бой на профессиональном ринге, а он уже проводит 10 и 12-раундовые бои. Причем, бьет он сильных и крепких соперников. Тот же Ипифанио Мендоза, или же Монтелл Гриффин. Я думаю, что перспективы стать чемпионом мира у него хорошие. Другое дело в том, как его подвести к этому бою. Просто нужно посмотреть, кто является чемпионом мира по всем четырем версиям. Но к этому есть несколько путей. Во-первых, до встречи за титул я бы посоветовал бы провести еще один-два боя с сильными и известными бойцами. Например, было бы интересно посмотреть бой в Алматы Бейбут Шуменов - Антонио Тарвер. В принципе я могу посодействовать в организаций данного поединка. Ну и самое главное, нужно заключить контракт с известным промоутером, у которого есть соглашение с телевидением. Кстати, американец Антонио Тарвер, о котором говорит Влад Хрюнов, в этом рейтинг-листе занял лишь 12 место. Тем временем, по еще не подтвержденным данным, следующим соперником Бейбута Шуменова станет украинец с африканскими корнями Исмаил Силлах, в настоящее время проживающий в США.

January 07, 2009
Doghouse Boxing's Best of 2008!

Fighter to Watch
Juan Manuel Lopez (26% of all votes. Second place: Victor Ortiz. Other vote-getters: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Alfredo Angulo, James Kirkland, Andre Berto, Devon Alexander, Beibut Shumenov, Paul Williams, Breidis Prescott, Amir Khan, Abner Mares, Daniel Jacobs, Andre Direll and Edwin Valero)

January 05, 2009
Top 25 Boxing Prospects for 2009 and Beyond - (By Andrew Eisele)

Boxing Prospect - Beibut Shumenov
Beibut Shumenov, 25, light heavyweight, 7-0, 5 KOs A 2004 Olympian for Kazakhstan. Best pro win: Montell Griffin W 12

January 1, 2009
Бейбут Шуменов:"Титульный бой жду к концу 2009 года"

Обычно боксер становится мало-мальски известным, когда его бои начинают регулярно показывать по телеканалам (желательно, американским и, желательно, ведущим, но и национальное или региональное вещание также пойдет). До того о нем слышат единицы, в основном те, кто живет неподалеку, либо знаком с ним или его друзьями. Да еще иногда не в меру любопытный hardcore fan заглянет на страничку в справочнике BoxRec.

Одним из первых исключений из этого правила стал венесуэлец Эдвин Валеро. Он не дрался на телевидении, его лишили лицензии в США, а среди его соперников поначалу не было ни звезд, ни даже крепких середняков. Но если ты одержишь 18 побед нокаутом подряд, каждый раз укладываясь в 3 минуты, то на тебя, так или иначе, обратят пристальное внимание. Валеро стал web-феноменом прежде чем стать звездой «мейнстрима».

Похоже, что у тех, кто пристально следит за всеми новыми именами, появилась новая «игрушка». Его зовут Бейбут Шуменов, ему 25 лет, и он представляет Казахстан. Но даже на родине о Бейбуте знаю не так уж и много. А знать стоит. Победив в первых трех боях (за океаном) слабеньких оппонентов, бывший представитель олимпийской сборной Казахстана на Олимпиаде в Афинах принялся за дело всерьез. Для начала за две недели управился с известным гейткипером Доннеллом Уиггинсом (24-10-4, 14 КО) — КО 2 — и престарелым, но некогда перспективным Лэвеллом Фингером (26-2, 13 КО) — в первом же раунде.

Дальше — больше. В августе в родной город Бейбута — Чимкент — пожаловал экс-чемпион мира в полутяжелом весе Монтелл Гриффин (49-7, 30 КО), некогда победивший в памятном бою самого Роя Джонса. Хотя Гриффин уже давно не тот, но проигрывает он по-прежнему лишь элите своей весовой категории. Шуменов победил Монтелла без лишнего напряга и в одну калитку: 120-107, 120-108 и 120-108. Кстати, этот бой можно увидеть на YouTube.

А под конец года Бейбут в меру уверенно управился и с непростым колумбийцем-нокаутером Эпифанио Мендосой (28-6-1, 24 КО). Среди жертв Мендосы имеются и известные имена — небитые проспекты Токунбо Оладжиде и Рубин Уильямс, а в последнем поединке латиноамериканец едва не огорчил Джеффа Лейси. Казахский же боец оказался слишком твердым орешком и победил: 100-90, 98-92 и 97-93.

- Бейбут, ваше имя широко известно лишь среди «хардкорных» Интернет-фанатов, но и они мало что о вас знают. Это и неудивительно, ведь в профессионалах вы выступаете всего лишь год. Расскажите о своей карьере подробнее.

- В любителях я был чемпионом Азии в 2004-м году на Филиппинах. Также на моем счету серебряная медаль первых Афро-Азиатских Игр 2003-го года в Индии. Еще я участвовал в Олимпийских Играх 2004-го года. Начал я неплохо, с победы над известным ныне профессионалом Алексеем Куземским (16-0, 3 КО) из Польши: 34-22. Но в том бою случилась неприятность — я сломал руку. Поэтому в следующем поединке был не в лучших кондициях и проиграл турку Йилсану Йилдырима Тархану: 19-27.

- А с кем из нынешних лидеров полутяжелого веса и окрестных категорий вам доводилось встречаться?

- Дважды дрался с очень известным боксером-любителем Уткирбеком Хайдаровым из Узбекистана (Золотой (1999), серебряный (2001) и бронзовый (2003) призер чемпионатов мира, бронзовый призер Олимпиады в Афинах). В 2003-м уступил ему по очкам в Баку, а через два года — тоже по очкам — переиграл его в Сербии. Побеждал я и чемпиона мира и Азии (2005) Ердоса Джаннабергенова. Еще дважды бился с Али Исмаиловым, и оба раза (2003) побеждал: один раз по очкам, а один раз — нокаутом.

- Последние значимые любительские бои вы провели в 2005-м году, а в профи дебютировали 17-го ноября 2007-года. Чем занимались почти три года?

- Я немного разочаровался в боксе из-за перелома руки. Решил попробовать себя в бизнесе — небезуспешно.

- Расскажите о своих первых боях в США.

- Дебютировал 17-го числа против некоего Уолтера Эдвардса. Паренек оказался совсем слаб. Я дважды отправлял его на настил, прежде чем рефери остановил поединок.

- Кто является вашим менеджером, кто — промоутером? Планируете ли вы перейти под крыло какой-нибудь крупной промоутерской компании?

- Я сам себе «мальчик». То есть я занимаюсь и собственным менеджментом и организацией своих боев. А еще у меня имеется собственная промоутерская компания KZ Event Productions, и я планирую расширение бизнеса и промоушен собственных боев, а также работу с другими боксерами.

- Трижды вы дрались за океаном, но затем вернулись обратно в Казахстан. Почему?

- Дело в том, что даже после трех побед мне не разрешали драться более 6-ти раундов. Но я чувствовал свою силу; был уверен, что мне не помешают и 10-ти, а, может быть, и 12-раундовые поединки. Поэтому я и вернулся домой.

- И, тем не менее, вам удалось «отхватить» такого сильного боксера как Монтелл Гриффин. Каким образом?

- У меня наработались некоторые связи за океаном, особенно среди матчмейкеров и промоутеров. Они и помогли мне выйти на команду Гриффина.

- Вы мощно начали поединок, несколько раз крепко приложив экс-чемпиона мира в первом же раунде. Но, хотя вы и доминировали на протяжении всего боя, победить Гриффина нокаутом вам не удалось. Что помешало?

- Ну, Гриффин же не паренек из местной спортсекции. Боксер маститый, опытный; мне же просто опыта не хватило его остановить. Но я вынес из этого поединка немало полезного для себя, подправил технику и исправил ошибки.

- Расскажите о своей последней схватке против Эпифанио Мендосы.

- Бой прошел полностью под моим контролем. Моя тактика сработала, как я и планировал, и сомнений относительно исхода этого поединка у меня не было никаких. Мендоса же крепкий парень, который удивил меня крепостью своей челюсти.

- Фаны и некоторые эксперты удивлены той авантюрной стратегией подбора оппонентов, которую вы используете. Не слишком ли спешите?

- Я еще не достиг предела своего мастерства, и с каждым боем уровень моего бокса постепенно повышается. Я не просто так выбрал Гриффина и Мендосу — я был готов к ним и доказал это в ринге. Я готов драться с лучшими из лучших полутяжей планеты.

- Хотя никто не сомневается в вашей выучке и технической подготовке, складывается впечатление, что вы полагаетесь почти только на агрессивность и напор в ринге. Да и с защитой, кажется, не все гладко. Или вы так не считаете?

- Я учусь и продолжаю совершенствоваться. Но я, к слову, не согласен с вами. Я видел все удары своих оппонентов, блокировал или уходил от них в сторону. Да, промахивался, но до совершенства мне еще далеко.

- Что в ближайшей перспективе? Когда мы вас вновь увидим на ринге?

- Следующий турнир планирую организовать в феврале 2009-го года в США, но пока не знаю где.

- Каковы более отдаленные планы? Собираетесь побороться за титул чемпиона мира?

- Да, есть такое желание. Хотелось бы осуществить его в конце 2009-го или в начале 2010-го годов.

- Не хотите ли вы продемонстрировать свои таланты на телевидении? Скажем, на ESPN2 или Shobox: The New Generation?

- Нет, такого желания пока нет. Я считаю, что я еще не достиг такого уровня мастерства, чтобы драться на телевидении. Я бы хотел выглядеть законченным продуктом, когда меня покажут по телевидению.

- Расскажите о KZ Event Productions и о роли своего брата Чингиза.

- Мы создали эту компанию, чтобы я не дрался под чужим менеджментом и промоушеном. Я хочу сам управлять своей судьбой и помогать талантливым проспектам.

- Каково ваше мнение о других талантах-профессионалах из Казахстана, например, Семене Упорове или Виталии Демьяненко?

- Очень талантливые ребята, которые уже на хорошем счету в мире бокса. Надеюсь, они чего-то добьются, и, чем черт не шутит, может, мы увидим их в звании чемпионов мира. Вообще, в Казахстане полно талантливой молодежи, но не хватает тех, кто бы мог ее вырасти. Бокс, к сожалению, не очень популярен сейчас у меня на родине. Кстати, вы забыли про Геннадия Головкина. Гена — настоящий феномен. Уверен, он уже готов к бою за титул.

- Ваши пожелания читателям?

- Спасибо за внимание и интерес к моей персоне. Веселых каникул всем, счастья, мира и благополучия в Новом Году!
Автор: Алексей Сукачев

December 30, 2008
Shumenov, Zambrano, Popoca-Garcia, More - News

Former Kazakhstan Olympian Beibut Shumenov (7-0, 5 KOs), fresh off of his impressive 10-round decision victory against Columbian knockout artist Epifanio "Diamente" Mendoza (28-6-1, 24 KOs), arguably is the most ambitious, fastest-rising prospect in boxing.
Fighting only 13 months as a professional unbeaten light heavyweight Shumenov has already captured three championship belts – WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBO Asia Pacific and PABA. His most defining victory to date was a one-sided victory by 12-round decision (120-107, 120-108, 120-108) against former WBC title-holder Montell "Ice" Griffin (50-8, 30 KOs) this past August in Kazakhstan.

Shumenov, 25, was recently named the WBC Asian Boxing Council Organization's 2008 Boxer of the Year. Beibut headlined against Mendoza in his new promotional company's (KZ Event Productions) U.S. debut December 13th in Bellevue, Washington.

"I'm enjoying boxing but it's more of a hobby than career for me," Shumenov explained. "I see myself going another route in the future. I want to challenge myself mentally, as a promoter, like I have physically as a boxer. I plan to expand my boxing company, KZ Event Productions, Inc., and promote boxing as a businessman. I enjoy organizing fights and building my own career."

In his previous two fights, Mendoza lost to former world champion Jeff Lacy by controversial decision, as well as to Chad Dawson for the WBC light heavyweight title. Beibut easily handled the veteran Mendoza, who was a late replacement for former world champion Kelvin Davis, by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93.

"When Davis pulled out of the fight only a few days before the show," Shumenov said, "I was ready to cancel the show rather than fight just any opponent. I was offered a 5-0 guy with three knockouts. No offense to him but I'd already beaten Montell Griffin, (Lavell) Finger, (Donnell) Wiggins and (Shannon) Miller. I didn't want to go backwards. I was either going to fight somebody with a good record, well-known name or title, or I wasn't going to fight at all. As soon as I realized that Mendoza had just fought Lacy and Dawson, I accepted the fight, and I want to thank Mendoza for taking the fight on such short notice. He's a tough guy who came to win.

"I haven't reached my limit in terms of mastering my skills, but I am ready now to fight any of the top light heavyweights in the world such as Joe Calzaghe, Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson, Zsolt Erdie, Roy Jones, Jr., Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Hugo Garay or Andrian Diaconu. I am working hard to improve my mastership and, when I reach the highest levels of my skills, I'd like to demonstrate it against all of the world's best fighters."

Already rated No. 15 by the WBO, Shumenov was highly-touted in the 2004 Olympics, winning his opening bout against Polish representative Aleksy Kuziemsky (presently 16-0 as a pro prospect), 37-22. But hampered by a hand injury, Beibut was defeated in the round of 16 by Turkey's Ihsan Yildorim Tarham, 27-19, in the same light heavyweight division in which Andre Ward won a gold medal for the United States.

There's no slowing down the confident Beibut, who is like an old-time fighter who doesn't want easy opponents to build-up his record. His fourth pro fight was a scheduled 12-round title fight against Wiggins. In his seventh bout Beibut looked very good against a much more experienced, former world title challenger Mendoza. Shumenov just wants to fight the best and position himself for a world title shot in late 2009 or early 2010.

The KZ Event Productions website (www.kzeventproductions.com) with soon be launched with additional information about Beibut Shumenov and his new promotional company.

December 29, 2008
Q&A: Beibut Shumenov! (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.

Q: 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.

Q: Fighting in the amateur ranks, you met many of today's light heavyweight, cruiserweight or super middleweight stalwarts. 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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!

December 21, 2008
Good Ole Boys in Asia

If you are reading this site from outside Asia, then you may be wondering who is the boxer tipped by the powers-that-be in the region to achieve great things. In fact, even those inside Asia are Googling Khazak light-heavyweight Beibut Shumenov and searching for online videos to see just what the fuss is all about.

Busy Shumenov has just been voted the WBC Asian Boxing Council's Boxer of 2008 after six fights inside 12 months to up his fledgling tally to 7-0 (5 KOs) including a shutout points win over veteran Montell Griffin for the ABCO belt in Khazakstan.

That rapid rise through the ranks – which has also been tagged with regional WBO and WBA belts – has put 25-year-old Shumenov in the shop window as he targets the top tier of a division haunted by faded big names wringing every last cent out of their careers.

While Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jnr and Joe Calzaghe refuse to go away nicely and play with the millions they have earned, the hope is men like Shumenov, Chad Dawson and Tavoris Cloud will soon end the never-ending sequels in the light-heavyweight zombie movie franchise.

At the very least, Calzaghe will hopefully be shopping for a new armchair and slippers to keep his "perfect'' record intact along with the lengthy WBO farcical reign in the solitary history book in his reading room.

2004 Olympian Shumenov is undoubtedly part of a new breed, although he is probably still something of a mystery to fans not hooked up to Khazakstan's television network.

There have also been outings in the USA so Shumenov – who splits his time between Las Vegas and his home country - may not be a secret for much longer.

Cynical readers may rightly ask why we are taking ABCO's recommendation so seriously. In this part of the world, the WBC's Asian word carries a lot of weight and has a lot more clout than many of the local commissions it works with.

Although its headquarters are in Thailand, ABCO has made tentative steps in central Asia as well as covering boxing backwaters like Malaysia, Cambodia and Nepal.

It is also gaining a foothold in China, which could prove to be a huge market in the near future.

It is possible to wonder why Shumenov is the biggest prospect in Asia (I'm sure my old geography teacher would have had something to say about that), but ABCO's verdict doesn't include rising stars from Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, who officially fall under the WBC's Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation.

ABCO also named German Titov as their promoter of the year and Titov operates in Khazakstan, signally a real shift in their base of operations away from the traditional Thai scene.

The rest of the awards list revealed at the Asia Hotel in Bangkok by WBC Asia president and WBC vice-president Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi was weighted, as expected, towards Thailand.

WBC number five ranked featherweight Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo was announced as "the outstanding fighter of the year" after boxing five times with two sanctioning fee-generating defences of his ABCO belt.

Chonlatarn is 27-0 but this year has really been a write-off with a succession of meaningless matches while he waits for a title shot.

And with this being the WBC there had to be another sub-category in a seemingly clear-cut category so lightweight champion Saddam Kietyongyuth picked up the "honorary fighter of the year" award, whatever that means.

Perhaps next year there will be an "interim fighter of the year'' or "fighter of the year in recess". Would anyone really be surprised?

Former WBC female atomweight champion Winyu Paradorngym was selected as the "female fighter of the year." That may be scant comfort for the 102lb Thai after she was robbed of her WBC belt after being knocked out by a blatant clash of heads with Japan's Momo Koseki in Tokyo in August.

Thai promoters Suchart Pisitwuttinan, Pariyakorn Ratanasuban, Naris Singwangcha, Kokiet Panichyarom, Pramook Rojanaphan were honoured and Saddam's promoter Daniel Potter was named as "the honorary promoter of the year."

But the real (absent) star of the show was Shumenov and his top spot from ABCO.

Fans in Thailand are getting excited about Saddam but Shumenov is another hot prospect who will be exciting to follow.

While many people still unfairly link Khazakstan with the comedy antics of character Borat, Shumenov may be able to use his fists to win back some well-deserved respect for his home country.

The old boy network in the light-heavyweight division might also have to start looking over their shoulders in the near future.

December 21, 2008
Central Asia Sweep WBC Asia Awards

Central Asia's top promoter German Titov and Kazakhstan fighter Beibut Shumenov took out the major honour awards at the WBC Asian Boxing Council Conference held 16 December at the Asia Hotel in Bangkok.

WBC Asia President and WBC Vice-President Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi awarded the "promoter of the year 2008" to Titov and the "boxer of the year 2008" to Shumetov.

WBC (#5 ranked) featherweight Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo was announced "the outstanding fighter of the year" while lightweight champion Saddam Kietyongyuth picked up the "honorary fighter of the year" award. Former WBC female atomweight champion Winyu Paradorngym was selected as the" female fighter of the year."

As well, Suchart Pisitwuttinan, Pariyakorn Ratanasuban, Naris Singhawungcha, Kokiet Panichyarom, Pramook Rojanaphan and Daniel Potter were named as "the honorary promoter of the year."

Light heavyweight champion Shumenov defended his regional titles twice, including an impressive victory over the former WBC 175lb champion Montell Griffin. He is now recognized as the best light heavyweight boxer in the greater Asia region.

December 16, 2008
Boxing Briefs

Light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov (7-0, 5 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Epifanio Mendoza (28-6-1, 24 KOs) Saturday night in Bellevue, Washington. Scores were 110-90, 98-92 and 97-93. In the co-feature, Demarcus Corley (32-10-1, 18 KOs) rebounded from a six-fight losing streak with a first-round knockout of Donnell Logan (11-18-2).