KEVIN JOHNSON TO FACE BRUCE SELDON NEXT
Posted on | August 26, 2008 | No Comments
JOHNSON VS. SELDON FIGHT CARD INFO: KEVIN JOHNSON INTERVIEW
Lauzon positioning himself for UFC title run in 2009
Posted on | August 26, 2008 | 1 Comment
Bradley fight Sept. 17 in Omaha on UFC Fight Night 15
E. BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (August 26, 2008) – In a relatively short period, 24-year-old Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon has gone from computer geek to starring on The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show, upsetting a former world mixed-martial-arts champ, and then headlining UFC Fight Night 13.
Not too shabby for the nerd-looking but fearless fighting lightweight contender who has a Bachelor’s degree in computer networking from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Two years ago, he was fighting part-time and working full-time at Charles River Analytics in Cambridge (MA), where he was responsible for maintaining a 130-computer network.
Now, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Lauzon (16-4, 3 KOs, 13 submissions) is currently preparing for his next fight, September 17 against Kyle Bradley (13-5) in UFC Fight Night 15, on Spike television live from Omaha, Nebraska.
“Every fighter will tell you that their next fight is the most important and that won’t change here,” Lauzon said. “Fighters can make or break their careers with a few good or bad fights, so I’m not going to let any fight slip by.”
Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, known as the “City of Champions” because Hall of Fame boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler fought out of there, Lauzon fought on the relatively small New England circuit during the early part of his still young MMA career, earning 2004 Massachusetts Fighter of the Year honors.
In 2006, “J-Lau” won an 8-man tournament by defeating three fighters on one night in the World Fighting League, and he was crowned WFL Grand Prix champion. His impressive showing led to a UFC contract, although he believed that he’d lose his love of fighting if he became a fulltime fighter and it became a job.
His UFC debut was against former world light weight champion Jens “Little Evil” Pulver (21-7-1), who was a solid 7-1 favorite, in UFC 63 (September 23, 2006). Lauzon immediately took Pulver to the mat, but they got up and Joe rocked Pulver with a right knee, leading to a devastating left hook that dropped Pulver. A barrage followed and the referee halted the fight at 43 seconds of the opening round, marking Pulver’s first UFC loss in eight fights.
“Going into the fight with Jens,” Lauzon reflected, “I had all the upper tier fighters on his plateau and I thought that I was far off. Getting a big win like that let me know that I could compete at that level.”
Lauzon’s impressive performance led to him being cast on The Ultimate Fighter 5, where Joe met his new mentor and training partner, UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn, who was his coach on the television series. Joe won his first two fights in the series against a team coached, ironically, by Pulver, but Joe lost a decision to Manvel Gamburyan in the semifinals. In the finale, however, “J-Lau” beat Brandon Melendez by submission (triangle choke) at 2:09 of the second round.
“The Ultimate Fighter was great for me because it put me on television in front of everyone,” Joe noted. “On the local level, MMA shows are filled by fighters selling tickets to their friends. The UFC has expanded that model by letting the world get to know fighters. You could fight a dozen times and still not have the same connection with people as you do when they see how you live for a month and a half.
After The Ultimate Fighter 5, Lauzon finally left his job at Charles River Analytics to become a fulltime MMA fighter, and took Penn up on his offer to train him, moving to Hawaii where one of his training partners was WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.
“Training with BJ was the best,” Lauzon remarked. “You always try to have a worst case scenario opponent in mind while training and BJ is just that” world-class Jiu-Jitsu, great striking with heavy ands and a solid chin, as well as crazy flexibility and takedown defense. All of that is hard to come by in one person, but BJ brings it all, the complete package. I am fortunate enough to have worked with BJ and I realize how much further I can improve. I am back training in Bridgewater at my school for this fight, but I’m sure I will be training with BJ again in the future.”
Last November, Joe defeated Jason Reinhardt by submission (rear naked choke) in the first round at UFC 78: Validation, setting up an All-Massachusetts showdown against Kenny Florian in the main event on UFC Fight Night 13 in Denver on April 2. The older, more experienced Florian registered a win by second-round TKO. “I learned from that fight that I need to pace myself better and not think that I have to go all out from bell to bell,” Joe commented. “It was real tough in Colorado with the elevation. I tried to prepare for it but I didn’t do enough. It was a costly lesson but one that I will never make again.”
Lauzon, representing Lauzon MMA, has moved back to Massachusetts and he’s living again in the town he grew-up in, East Bridgewater. Given his youth and talent, along with Penn possibly moving up to the welterweight division, “J-Lau” hopes to parlay an impressive win next month against Bradley into a top 10 ranking and eventually a UFC lightweight title shot in 2009.
For more information about Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon, go online to www.joelauzon.com or myspace.com/lauzonrsd.
-JL-
Tags: B.J. Penn > Bachelor's Degree > Brandon Melendez > Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu > Bridgewater > Brockton > Cambridge > Charles River Analytics > Hawaii > J-Lau > Jason Reinhardt > Jens Pulver > Joe Lauzon > Kenny Florian > Kyle Bradley > MA > Manny Gamburyan > Marvelous Marvin Hagler > Massachusetts > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Nebraska > Omaha > reality TV > Rocky Marciano > Season 5 > SPIKE television > The Ultimate Fighter > UFC > UFC Fight Night 15 > UFC Figt Night 13 > Urijah Faber > Wentworth Institute of Technology > WFL Grand Prix champion > World Fighting League
SEMINOLE WARRIORS BOXING INKS US OLYMPIC TEAM ALTERNATE DANNY O’CONNOR
Posted on | August 26, 2008 | No Comments
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT TO MAKE PRO DEBUT ON SEPTEMBER 17th
HOLLYWOOD, FL, August 26 – With the 2008 Olympic Games now in the history books, it’s time to look towards the future, and Seminole Warriors Boxing has kick started its run towards the best young talent in boxing today by signing the pride of Framingham, Massachusetts, 2008 US Olympic team alternate Danny O’Connor.
“Danny was an exciting young amateur boxer who is going to make a lot of noise in the coming years as a professional,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “He’s got a perfect style for the pro game, and we have very high expectations of him. He’s also a great person and a great representative for the sport of boxing.”
“I’m excited to be with Seminole Warriors Boxing and this is the right addition to my team,” said O’Connor. “Warriors Boxing has produced a number of champions and I plan on being the next one. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and get my career started.”
A 23-year old southpaw known for his ring savvy, boxing ability, and power, O’Connor was a high school wrestling champion who began his stint in the sweet science in 2004. He went on to win four New England Golden Gloves titles, was the National Golden Gloves champion in 2008 and named the Most Outstanding Boxer in the 2008 Future Stares National Championship. Danny scored a dominating victory over eventual 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz of the Dominican Republic on May 29th in a pre Olympic duet meet and finished his amateur career with a record of 95 wins against only 8 defeats. And though O’Connor would drop a hard-fought decision to Javier Molina in the Olympic trials, the 141-pounder was selected as the US team alternate and he traveled to Beijing for the 2008 Games.
Danny is managed by Rob Valle and Dave Keefe who also trains him. Now he begins on his road to glory as a professional, beginning with his debut bout against an opponent to be determined on September 17th in Manchester, New Hampshire .
“This is the best time for any young boxer,” said Margules. “The slate is clean and the whole world is ahead of him. Danny O’Connor is going to do big things in this sport, and we’re proud to have him with Seminole Warriors Boxing.”
For more information regarding this and other events, log on to: www.WarriorsBoxing.com
Tags: 2008 Olympic Games > Beijing > Danny O'Connor > Dave Keefe > Dominican Republic > Felix Diaz > Framingham > Leon Margules > MA > Manchester > New England Golden Gloves > New Hampshire > Rob Valle > Seminole Warriors Boxing > September 17
UNTAMED 22 POST FIGHT REPORT
Posted on | August 25, 2008 | No Comments
By: Rich Bergeron
Another packed house at Plymouth Memorial Hall enjoyed a night of promising new beginnings for some fighters on the card and a few quick endings for others. The Saturday event drew a sell out crowd and featured just a few of the many new faces of MMA in Massachusetts. One of them was Kirk Florian, making his amateur MMA debut with his two brothers in his corner.
Coach Keith Florian and UFC Veteran Kenny Florian were able to watch their brother get out of an early jam in his MMA debut that saw Kirk and his opponent Colin Joyce slug it out all over the cage for nearly the entire first round. Then it was all Florian as he recovered and weathered a few knees before taking down Joyce and executing a picture perfect “Lion’s Kill” Rear Naked Choke. Joyce tapped with just 7 seconds left in the first round.
“It was nerve wracking,” said Kirk Florian at the end of the match. He added that he would definitely consider trying to follow in his brother Kenny’s footsteps and keep at it. “I’ll do it again,” he said. “I’ll just have to train harder.”
In other amateur results:
STAN SKOLFIELD DEF SEAN HAGGERTY VIA U.D.
MIKE VOLKERT DEF AL SMITH VIA TKO 1:44 R2
MIKE DONOVAN DEF DAN FIELDS VIA U.D.
ISAAC BOINEY DEF JON WARNOCK VIA SPLIT DEC.
BRIAN MAILHOT DEF TONY REA VIA K.O. SLAM 1:01 R2
MIKE DUNNY DEF DAN FIELDS VIA U.D. (30-27)

Bombsquad’s Casey Lamb made quick work of his opponent in the next fight at 205. Steve Jaeger (Jakes) wound up on the wrong end of a rear naked choke and had to tap out within the first minute of the match. It was the pro debut for both fighters.
Light heavyweight Travis Bartlett (0-1) of Team Irish battled Team Gillette’s Adrian Coleman (1-0) next. Both fighters used every inch of the ring in the first round. Each fighter had his moments as they both grappled and slugged their way around the mat. Coleman gassed out in the second round and resorted to covering up and throwing slow, telegraphed shots that didn’t have any power behind them. Bartlett bided his time and waded in near the end of the round with a 1-2 combo followed by an absolute barrage of unanswered hooks and uppercuts. Coleman quickly became punch drunk and listless under the weight of so many punches, but he did manage to stay standing until the referee waved the match to a close at 4:18 of the second round.
A familiar face at previous events, Rigo Domminnicci (2-6) of Team Domminnicci, wound up in familiar territory yet again when forced to fight a third overtime round against Justin Hammerstrom (5-6) of Team TENGU. Domminnicci already had two straight overtime matches with hard-charging Rob McNeil at past Untamed events. McNeil came out on top the first time but gassed out in the rematch. Domminnicci demonstrated Saturday night that he definitely learned his lesson from those two brutal wars.
The first round of this 175 pound bout went back and forth with Domminnicci starting out with a leg kick and then getting caught in a Guillotine hold. Hammerstrom landed a few knees before Domminnicci exploded with a 1-2, an overhand right, and a series of uppercuts and hooks that knocked Hammerstrom to the mat where Domminnicci pounced on him. Hammerstrom attempted a triangle choke. Domminnicci showed no interest in fighting on the ground and allowed his opponent to get up. Hammerstrom took full advantage and managed a late takedown after Dominicci’s own guillotine choke attempt failed. Hammerstrom maintained top control until the end of the round and landed a few shots to Domminnicci’s head before the bell.
Hammerstrom controlled much of the second round, starting right off the bat with a jumping rear naked choke attempt. Both fighters tumbled to the mat where Hammerstrom sunk a body triangle. Working the rear naked choke through most of the round, Hammerstrom just couldn’t get it locked in on the crafty Domminnicci. All Hammerstrom could do was punch his opponent from behind. Domminnicci blocked most of the shots but definitely lost the round. Dominicci did get up near the end of the frame, but slugging his way to a late takedown couldn’t save him from another overtime “winner take all” round.
Domminnicci knew what it would take to win from previous experience and started right out with a phenomenal leg kick. A knee came shortly thereafter and then came the big slam takedown. Not wanting to risk getting caught in any submission moves, Domminnicci allowed Hammerstrom back up again. Hammerstrom didn’t stay on his feet long and ended up suffering another takedown and a few shots to the ribs before his opponent let him back to his feet one last time. Domminnicci managed a couple more smacking leg kicks and a right hand before Hammerstrom got his back again and tried to work in a desperation choke. The late charge was not nearly enough to snatch the decision away from Domminnicci, who still only won by a 10-9 score.
Independent Scott Trayhorn (0-1) looked promising against much more experienced Ryan Schiedling (3-0) of Team Burgess in the early going. He went for an early takedown in the 175-pound contest and Schiedling had to really struggle to finally stuff the attempt. Schiedling made his opponent pay with left hooks raining down on Trayhorn from back control.
Somehow Trayhorn scrambled back to his feet and made the big mistake of going toe to toe with Schiedling. A thunderous knee to the head sucked the life right out of Trayhorn, but the referee wasn’t at the proper angle to be able to glimpse Trayhorn’s eyes rolling back in his head. Schiedling looked content and ready to celebrate, but the referee had not yet stopped the contest. Schiedling landed a few more blows for good measure as Trayhorn wobbled and fell before the referee finally decided enough was enough. Trayhorn, with blood smeared and spattered all over his shoulder and his lip cut deep, eventually rose off the mat in a punchy daze after weathering the 2:59 knockout.
The next fight would feature even more blood as 155-pounders Marcus Signorelli (BTT BOS) tried to notch his second win in as many fights against Jimmy Delorfano of GB BOS. Delorfano came into his first professional fight looking sloppy and taking punches to give punches through the entire first five minutes. Signorelli looked to be in complete control through the first frame. He secured an early guillotine hold and then followed up with a takedown right into full mount. He rained down a few good hammerfists and elbows, and Delorfano was already bloody.
Delorfano had a brief moment of domination after reversing Signorelli. He landed a few right hooks to the face and body of Signorelli and a nice right hand to the face. Signorelli rolled his way out with upkicks and wrestling skills, winning the round by gaining complete control again up to the closing seconds.
Delorfano was a different fighter the next round. Signorelli just never had a chance. Delorfano landed early and often. There was a straight right that registered first and foremost. BAM! Right to the face! Signorelli is probably still feeling that one. The right hook came shortly after, crashing right into Signorelli’s ringing jaw. Signorelli was down after the next straight right. He could only manage an uppercut with not enough mustard on it before crashing to the floor where Delorfano never even let him think about getting up. He settled in on Signorelli and fed him a steady diet of right hands, a 1-2 combo, and too many hammerfists to even count. There was blood EVERYWHERE.
Signorelli tried to get up too quickly and dribbled a puddle wherever he roamed in a clearly subconscious state around the cage. One of his big toes was completely red with blood, his nose was split wide open, and his opponent didn’t look much better after the raucous first round. This fight was a testament to toughness and grit. Both fighters came in with a mission, a purpose, and an intent to do major damage. Both left the crowd in awe and stole the show. It was a fight that epitomized the entire competitive, never give up, anything can happen concept of MMA.
The final two fights were captured on video, so we won’t spoil them for you.
VIDEO 1: Marc Stevens 6-3 (TAI KAI) VS. GLENN BROWN 3-1 (Green Mountain Boys) —- 155 Pounds —- Winner fights Will Kerr on September 27th in Boxboro, MA
VIDEO 2: Marcos Santa Cruz 2-1 (LINK) VS. KEVIN JORDAN 8-5 (Bombsquad) === ROUND 1
VIDEO 3: Marcos Santa Cruz 2-1 (LINK) VS. KEVIN JORDAN 8-5 (Bombsquad) === ROUND 2
PHOTO GALLERY:
MORE TO COME SOON
Tags: Best Way ATT > Bombsquad > Boxboro > Brent Reed > Casey Lamb > Chris Cape > Colin Joyce > Glenn Brown > Green Mountain Boys > Jimmy Delorfano > Justin Hammerstrom > Keith Florian > Kenny Florian > Kevin Jordan > Kirk Florian > Lion's Kill > Marc Stevens > Marcos Santa Cruz > Marcus Signorelli > Masachusetts > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Plymouth > Plymouth Memorial Hall > rear-naked choke > Rich Bergeron > Rigo Domminnicci > Rob McNeil > Ryan Schiedling > Scott Trayhorn > Sityodtong > Steve Jaeger > Tai Kai > Team Burgess > Team Gillette > Team Irish > Team Link > Tengu > Travis Bartlett > UFC > Will Kerr
EUROPEAN BOXING NEWS
Posted on | August 25, 2008 | No Comments
Nothing offical yet but notifight.com writes that WBA lightheavy champ Hugo Hernan Garay defends the title October 18 in Germany against # 1 rated contender Jurgen Brahmer.
Adrian Diaconu and Silvio Branco square off for the WBC lightheavy title November 8 probably in Romania.
Ex-EBU middle champ Amin Asikainen will now take on Brazilian Roberto De Oliveira de Jesus October 30 in Tampere, Finland, in what is a final tuneup before going after his old title (now vacant) against Khoren Gevor. The original opponent, Claudio Ariel Abalos, was forced out due to visa problems. Russian jr welter Dennis Shafikov, nicknamed “Djingis Khan” face Slovakian Andrzej Sark. Talented Edis Tatli, also at jr welter, square off against Brazilian Idiozan Matos. Heavies Sami Elovaara and Juho Haapoja are featured on separate bouts against selected opponents to set up a showdown for the national title later in the fall.
Arena Box Promotion have switched venue for their planned September 12 show and will now stage it in Cuxhaven in the North of Germany instead of at Palma de Mallorca. The show features Cubans Odlanier Solis and Erislandy Lara, WBC Int´l welter champ Selcuk Aydin and Germans Steffen Kretschmann and Timo Gross.
Belorus heavyweight giant Alexander Ustinov knocked out Brazilian Daniel Bispo in the second August 22 in Beijing, China. Ustinov´s next assignment is likely to be October 11 in Berlin on the undercard to Vitali Klitschko vs Samuel Peter.
Don King Productions have feather prospect Justin Savi on the Valuev vs Ruiz show in Berlin August 30.
Hassan N´Dam and Woilid Guarras clash in one of the semi-finals of the French Grand Tornoi competition September 18 in Paris.
German heavy Egon Roth, 19-0, is reportedly on his way to retire due to a bad back. Roth is signed to Spotlight Boxing but have only fought three times in the last two years.
Tags: Adrian Diaconu > Alexander Ustinov > Amin Asikainen > Andrzej Sark > Arena Box Promotion > Beijing > Belarus > Berlin > Brazilian > China > Claudio Ariel Abalos > Cuban > Cuxhaven > Daniel Bispo > Dennis Shafikov > Don King > Edis Tatli > Egon Roth > Erislandy Lara > Finland > Germany > Grand Tornoi > Hassan N' Dam > heavyweight > Hugo Hernan Garay > Idiozan Matos > Juho Haapoja > junior welterweight > Jurgen Brahmer > Justin Savi > Khoren Gevor > Light heavyweight > Odlanier Solis > Oliveira de Jesus > Palma de Mallorca > Paris > Romania > Ruiz > Russian > Sami Elovaara > Samuel Peter > Selcuk Aydin > Silvio Branco > Slovakian > Spotlight Boxing > Steffen Kretschmann > Tampere > Timo Gross > Valuev > Vitali Klitschko > WBA > WBC > welterweight > Woilid Guarras
Jason Estrada won’t get caught in trap fight
Posted on | August 25, 2008 | No Comments
Godfrey-Nwodo NABF title fight headlines Friday night’s “Title Wave” at Mohegan Sun
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (August 25, 2008) – Others may consider his Friday night match-up against Texas champion Domonic Jenkins as simply a “stay busy” opportunity, however, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada is fully aware that it’s a potential trap fight and he’s prepared as if it were a title bout.
Estrada (13-1, 3 KOs) takes on Jenkins (13-8-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round Special Heavyweight Attraction this Friday evening on the “Title Wave” card, headlined by NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey’s title defense against challenger Emmanuel Nwodo, live on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Estrada, rated No. 11 by the NABF and NABO, realizes that Jenkins has upset Malcolm Tann, Jason Gavern, Ron Guerrero, and Victor Bisbal, as well as been in against Chris Arreola, Tye Fields, Chazz Witherspoon, and Eddie Chambers. “Regardless of what others feel about Jenkins,” Estrada said, “I’m taking this fight completely serious, as if it’s for a championship. It’s these type of fights that guys take lightly and then get beaten. I know that this is an opportunity for me to move up in the heavyweight division. Jenkins and I were sparring partners for Tony Thompson when he was getting ready for Dominick Guinn.”
Estrada is somewhat frustrated that top 20 ranked fighters won’t fight him, but he realizes that fighting somebody like him with exceptional hand and foot speed is too big a risk for some. “I’m frustrated but patient,” he explained. “I am the top United States heavyweight prospect and I ‘m willing to fight anybody out there. But I have no idea what it’s going to take to get a big fight. Hopefully, it’ll get done sooner rather than later. I respect their decisions not to fight me because this is a business and they don’t want to lose out on a money fight (losing to Estrada before they cash in). But they can’t keep avoiding me if they really want to be considered top heavyweights. Just call my promoter (Jimmy Burchfield).”
Godfrey (16-1, 9 KOs), rated No. 5 by the WBC, headlines against Nigerian-born Nwodo (22-4, 18 KOs), former USBA champion currently rated No. 12 by the WBA and No. 14 by the WBC, in the 12-round main event on “Title Wave,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Mohegan Sun and ESPN.
WBC World Youth featherweight title-holder Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (14-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of nearby Manchester, is scheduled to be in action in the 10-round co-feature.
In a pair of four-round bouts, Ledyard’s (CT) unbeaten super middleweight Brian Macy (4-0, 1 KO), 2000 National PAL champion and U. of Connecticut graduate, faces Shawn Kirk (4-2, 2 KOs), while light heavyweight Keith Kozlin makes his pro debut versus Borngard Washington (0-3).
In two four-round female bouts on the undercard, Hartford’s popular welterweight Addy Irizarry (5-2, 2 KOs) is up against her toughest challenge in former world champion Yvonne “Silk” Reiss (7-12-1) and Mystic (CT) super bantamweight Karen Dulin (0-1) goes for her first pro victory versus Christina Leadbeater (1-1, 1 KO). All fighters and bouts are subject to change.
Tickets for “Title Wave” are priced at $30.00, $45.00, $75.00 and $100.00 and available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com, at the Mohegan Sun box office or any TicketMaster outlet.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
-CES-
Tags: Addy Irizarry > Borngard Washington > Boxing > Brian Macy > CES > Chazz Witherspoon > Chris Arreola > Christina Leadbeater > Classic Entertainment and Sports > Connecticut > Dominick Guinn > Domonic Jenkins > Eddie Chambers > Emmanuel Nwodo > ESPN > ESPN Friday Night Fights > Hartford > heavyweight > Jason Estrada > Jason Gavern > Jimmy Burchfield > Karen Dulin > Keith Kozlin > Ledyard > Malcolm Tann > Manchester > Matt Godfrey > Matt Remillard > Mohegan Sun > Mystic > NABF > NABO > National PAL Champion > Ron Guerrero > Shawn Kirk > Tony Thompson > Tye Fields > Uncasville > Victor Bisbal > Yvonne Reiss
MMA BAY NEWS
Posted on | August 25, 2008 | 1 Comment
RAMPAGE VS. SHOGUN FIGHT INKED
TITO FINALLY SIGNS WITH AFFLICTION
RAMPAGE FACES SIX CRIMINAL CHARGES
Tags: Affliction > Mauricio Rua > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Quinton Jackson > Rampage Jackson > Shogun > Tito Ortiz
Boxing’s Top Secret Project: “Beibut The Beast”
Posted on | August 24, 2008 | No Comments
KAZAKHSTAN (August 24, 2008) – Former Kazakhstan Olympian Beibut “The Beast” Shumenov is the greatest fighter in the world that most boxing fans haven’t heard of, at least not at this stage of his young professional career.
In less than 10 months, 24-year-old Shumenov has won all six of his pro fights, five by knockout, capturing three title belts – WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBO Asia Pacific and PABA Interim light heavyweight championships.
Earlier this month in Chimkent, Kazakhaston, Shumenov (6-0, 5 KOs) easily won a 12-round decision, in his WBC and WBO Asian title defenses, against former WBC title-holder Montell “Ice” Griffin (50-8, 30 KOs), whose victims over the years include a pair of future Hall of Famers, Roy Jones, Jr. and James Toney (twice). Beibut won every round, nearly stopping Griffin in the opening round, en route to shutting out the former world champion by lop-sided scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-107. After the fight Griffin, rated No. 22 by the WBA, was taken to the hospital for stitches for a cut over his eye as well as to get his ribs examined after Beibut’s devastating body attack.
Shumenov, already rated No. 15 by the WBO prior to his victory against Griffin, was highly touted in the 2004 Olympics, winning his opening bout against Polish representative Aleksy Kuziemsky (presently 15-0 as a pro prospect), 37-22. Amidst rumors of 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 Andre Ward of the United States won a gold medal.
Last November in North Carolina, Shumenov won his pro debut with a first-round TKO of Walter Edwards, followed in order by an opening-round knockout of Cedric Howard in Florida, and fourth-round TKO of 68-fight veteran Shannon Miller in Tennessee. In April,
Beibut put Donnell Wiggins (24-10-4) to sleep in the second round of their fight in Kazakhstan for the WBC Asian and PABA Interim light heavyweight crowns. Ten days later, Beibut stopped Lavell Fingers (26-2) in the first-round of their April 22 fight, also held in Kazakhstan. Beibut successfully defended his two Asian titles and also collected the PABA Interim crown.
Trained by Kenny Adams and advised by E Point K Consulting, Shumenov is resting in Kazakhaston and will return to Las Vegas in late September, early October to prepare for his next fight. Beibut plans to make a title run in 2009.
The word is slowly getting out in boxing: “Beibut The Beast” is on the loose!
Tags: Beibut Shumenov > Boxing > Chimkent > Kazakhaston > Light heavyweight > Montell Griffin > olympian























