LAS VEGAS (July 30, 2009) – World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo is a true road warrior who defends his title belt for the first time August 15th against undefeated light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov at Palace of Sports “Kazakhstan” in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Aug. 15th show will be presented by KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, in association with Sampson Boxing, LLC..
Campillo (18-2, 6 KOs) is a slick Spanish southpaw who last month (June 20) traveled to Argentina and won a 12-round majority decision as a decisive underdog, taking the WBA crown from Argentinean favorite and defending title-holder, Hugo Hernan Garay (32-3).
Fighting 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov (8-0, 6 KOs), reigning International Boxing Association title-holder, in the Kazak’s home country doesn’t faze Campillo because of his history of success in other fighter’s backyards. He won the European Union super middleweight championship this past March by 12-round decision against a Dane, Lolenga Mock, in Denmark.
“I went to Argentina as an underdog,” Campillo explained. “I was well prepared and I defeated him (Garay) the same way that I am planning to beat Shumenov in his own backyard. I agreed to fight Shumenov because none of he other champions risk their titles and I plan to defend my title against anybody that challenges me. To be a great champion, you have to defeat the best, and Shumenov is one of them.
“I am a pure boxer and my plan is to box Shumenov. I will win by decision but I do not discount the possibility of a late knockout. The only date that I am looking at is August 15th. I will not entertain any future fights now because my mind is set on Beibut Shumenov. All of Spain is behind me and I will not betray my country.”
The 25-year-old Beibut will make history if he defeats Campillo in his ninth pro fight, eight less than the fewest ever for a world light heavyweight champion, Michael Spinks (17). A Kazakhstan native now residing and training in Las Vegas, Beibut is currently rated No. 9 by the WBA. Two months ago in his hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan, he stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the fourth round, continuing his ambitious pace that also includes victories against former world champion Montell Griffin and world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza, respectively, by 12 and 10 round decisions.
Two other members of KZ Event Productions, 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov and Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudayaynazarov, will also be showcased on the August 15th card.
Ahmedov (11-0-1, 7 KOs) takes on former Eastern & Central African titlist Douglas “Daggy” Otieno (19-1, 9 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant PABA and WBO Pacific light heavyweight titles, recently relinquished by Shumenov. Hudayaynazarov (8-0, 5 KOs), 2007 World Military Games gold medalist, makes his KZ debut against ex-Kenyan title-holder Joseph Joseph “Mish” Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KOs) in a 6-round bout.
Continuing his comeback is former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (34-11, 20 KOs), who meets “Jessie” James Kimori (11-1, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bout
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard against opponents to be determined are a pair of pro debuting Kazaks, super featherweight Abzal Adambaev and heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov.
Murat to defend European Super-Middleweight Title against Di Giacomo on August 29
Karo Murat is looking for his 20th victory in as many fights when he takes on Lorenzo Di Giacomo on the undercard of the Huck-Ramirez clash in Halle on August 29. It will be Murat´s third defence of the European Super-Middleweight Title he won from Cristian Sanavia in April 2008. “I am hungry for success,” Murat said. “Di Giacomo will find out what that means.”
Between his two victories over Sanavia, Murat held off newly-crowned WBA Light-Heavyweight Champion Gabriel Campillo when the duo locked horns in Bielefeld in September 2008. “Halle is not far from Bielefeld and I really look forward to coming back because the fans supported me superbly,” Murat added.
The 25-year-old (19-0, 12 KOs) is determined to improve his unbeaten record, while experienced Di Giacomo has set his sights on his 39th success (38-3, 19 KOs). “He is a very good fighter with a lot of experience,” Murat added. “But I will defend my title.”
CARNEY BOWMAN: “SATURDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING”
UNBEATEN FEATHERWEIGHT HEADLINES SOVEREIGN BANK BASEBALL STADIUM CARD
YORK, PA (July 30, 2009) With training just about over, Carney “BEEPER” Bowman, is anxious to return to the ring this Saturday night, August 1st in the main event at “THE BATTLE OF YORK 4” against Delvin Placencia at the Sovereign Bank Baseball Stadium.
“I love to fight and Saturday night has worked best for me in York . The fans in York have always been very supportive and this Saturday’s show at the baseball stadium has really turned into a huge event here” said Bowman.
The 26 year old Bowman, 13-0-0 (5KO’s), known as The Fighting Pride of Central Pennsylvania, has fought his last three fights at the Valencia Ballroom in York, PA, all on Saturday nights.
In this Saturday’s nights eight round featherweight main event, Bowman will face the toughest opponent of his five year professional career, Dominican native Delvin Placencia who brings a record of 15-1-0 (6KO’s) into the battle this Saturday night.
“I saw his last fight against Jesus Perez last month in Baltimore and it was an outstanding battle. It was his first loss but he was in the fight the whole way and I’ll have to be at the top of my game to beat him, I know he’s going to want to get back in the win column.”
“My training and sparring has been terrific so I’m ready to go. I know a little bit of what to expect from Placencia and I’m well prepared for it.”
Also appearing at “THE BATTLE OF YORK 4” will be York’s Eric Nemo, 7-1-1 (3KO’s) and Stevie Weimer, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), Dominican knockout artist, welterweight Francisco Contreras, 9-0-0 (9KO’s), Johnstown cruiserweight Andres “TAYLOR MADE” Taylor, 8-1-1 (4KO’s), undefeated featherweight Rafael Lora, 10-0-0 (5KO’s), undefeated Philadelphia middleweight prospect Dennis Hasson, 8-0-0 (2KO’s) and the pro debut of Naziyr Bell of Lancaster, PA.
Additional information on amateur bouts will also be announced shortly.
Tickets, starting at $20 for general admission in the grandstand of the stadium, can be purchased in advance through the York Revolution Box Office (717-801-HITS, www.yorkrevolution.com ). Ringside table seating is also available through the box office.
Sovereign Bank Stadium is operated by the York Revolution Professional Baseball Club, a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Sovereign Bank Stadium is located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way , York, PA 17401 . For more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487), or visit the Revolution online at www..YorkRevolution.com.