Will Shumenov become a major star?

By Boxing News - 07/29/2011 - Comments

YouTube video
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Beibut Shumenov (11-1, 7 KO’s) won the World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight title in just his tenth professional fight, quite a remarkable feat. He may have won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title also if titleholder Juergen Braehmer had not pulled out of their scheduled fight in January.

Amazingly Shumenov has fought four word champions in a total of twelve fights.

And according to his handlers Shumenov is just beginning to scratch the surface of his full potential as a fighter and is still a work in progress.

Beibut will be facing Danny Santiago (31-4-1, 19 KO’s) in Las Vegas on Friday night on Telefutura.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated his trainer Kevin Barry said “I honestly think he’ll become a major star. He’s explosive he’s entertaining he’s a boxing fans fighter.” Barry trains Shumenov in the fighters adopted home town of Las Vegas.

Shumenov has had a brief pro career but has been fighting most of his life. He took up martial arts as a youth when he was growing up in his hometown of Shymkent, where his father is a successful businessman. Beibut had an extensive amateur career of over 200 fights.

When you watch Shumenov in the ring it soon becomes obvious why he has been successful. He is profoundly ferocious when attacking his opponents.

“I’ve been around some pretty good fighters and I’ve never seen anyone as driven as Beibut,” exclaimed Barry.

Barry and advisor Don Chagrin say that much of Shumenov’s success has been due to a fanatical conditioning program and that he will never be out conditioned by any fighter.

“You hear students of the game. Beibut really is a student of the game. He’s always looking to improve.”

Where does Shumenov get his drive? Barry attributes it to his intelligence. He knows what he wants and how to get it.

Shumenov comes from a very successful family of achievers in Kazahkstan, a country bordered by Russia and China. Beibut and his brother are lawyers. He speaks five languages and is learning to speak English.

The ferocity Shumenov displays is something that is inside him. He has a natural inbred killer instinct and because of his superb conditioning is able to attack opponents for extended periods of time without the fear of tiring. He does not throw a punch and then wait to throw another, he throws lots of punches, all designed to take your head off.

After splitting with his promoter Don Goossen, Beibut set up his own promotional firm, EZ Event Productions.

Barry also noted that Shumenov did not want to waste time fighting easy opponents just for the sake of padding his record. He feels that he can learn only from fighting quality opponents.

Both Kevin Barry and Don Chagrin say that the sky is the limit for Shumenov. Time will tell the story.



Comments are closed.