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.
JOEY GILBERT FIGHTS “THE BILLY GOAT” ON JULY 3
JUNE 24th, 2010, RENO – As part of the Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries centenary in Reno, Top Rank Incorporated, the Grand Sierra Resort, and Let’s Get It On Promotions present an evening of professional boxing.
Added to the stellar boxing card is an eight round super-middleweight bout between Reno’s own Joey Gilbert (19-2, 15 KOs) and Bakersfield CA’s Billy “The Billy Goat” Bailey (10-8, 4 KOs).
Gilbert, who displayed that he is still a contender by stopping the tough Anthony Bartinelli on May 22nd, is looking to extend his win streak to three in a special attraction bout.
“I felt great against Stovall in August, and Bartinelli in May.” Says Gilbert. “It feels great to be fighting regularly again. I’m back.”
In Bailey’s last two fights, he has been on the wrong end of extremely controversial decisions. He has only been stopped one time in his career. Bailey is known for being an aggressive and durable foe who many fighters avoid.
“Lightning” Lonnie Smith added to card
“Fight of the night” winner of Reno Xtreme Fights IV, El Negro Mexicano “Lightning” Lonnie Smith (10-2-2, 7KOs) has been added to the July 3rd card as well. Smith, who’s fight with Randy Arrellin had the fans at the Grand Sierra Resort on their feet, is coming off of an impressive 5th round TKO.
“I can’t wait to put on another great show for the fight fans in Reno.” Says the personable and charismatic Smith. “I can only hope that the work I do in my fight, Jack Johnson can look down and smile knowing that a new champ is soon to be crowned.”
The fight card is as follows.
Archie Solis vs. Eric Ortiz – 10 rounds, Jr. Flyweights
Mark Melligen vs. Anges Adjaho – 10 rounds, Welterweights.
Joey Gilbert vs. Billy Bailey – 8 rounds, Super Middleweights
Lonnie Smith vs. TBA – 6 rounds – Jr. Lightweights
Carlos Gaytan vs. Alex Rivera – 4 rounds, Light Heavyweights
Francisco Vargas vs. Andrew Rempp – 4 rounds Jr. Lightweights
Fight card subject to change. Ticket information is below.
Reno Xtreme Fights is a boxing and mixed martial arts series of events between Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and Let’s Get it on Promotions. Doors will open at 4 pm. for the fight on Saturday, July 3rd with the first bout at 5 p.m. in the Grand Theatre. Tickets are $75, $55 and $35. Tickets for a King’s Row Booth for four are $1,000 which includes an exciting spot to get close to the action with light appetizers and one bottle of alcohol included. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 1.800.648.3568 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.
Firtha planning to upset Grano Saturday night in ‘Pride & Power’ headliner CES show at Mohegan Sun Arena
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 23, 2010) – Ohio heavyweight Nicolai “Stone Man” Firtha has made multiple visits to New England visiting relatives, but this Saturday night he’ll make his first business trip there, challenging Hartford heavyweight favorite Tony “TNT” Grano in the 10-round main event on the “Pride & Power” boxing show, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn
“I’m looking forward to fighting in New England for the first time,” Firtha said. “I have a lot of family there and hope that they’ll be supporting me at the fight. I’m humbled by this opportunity because I’m not with a big promoter and it is tough getting good fights like this. I’m hoping to be discovered. I only had a 2 ½-week notice – I was carrying my golf clubs – but I stay in good shape and ready for a call like we received.
“Styles make fights; I’m a classic boxer-puncher, he’s a classic slugger. The key for me is keeping him on the outside, boxing, and keeping my back off of the ropes. I want the action in the center of the ring. If I’m on the ropes, I lose. At some point in the fight, though, it’s going to be go-time, and I won’t go back.”
Firtha (17-7-1, 7 KOs) and Grano (17-1-1, 13 KOs), whose four-round knockout of previously undefeated Travis Kaufman last September on Showtime was named The Ring magazine’s 2009 Heavyweight Fight of the Year, will battle for the vacant NABA-US title.
“Nick is 6’ 6” and 245 pounds,” Firtha’s manager Pat Nelson added. “You’d never know he’s a fighter by the way he speaks and he looks like Kurt Warner. He’s a Klitschko prototype. It’s going to be a super competitive fight. I feel Nick possess more size and power, as well as more skill in the ring, than Grano. We’re anxious for the fight and hope that a big win will propel Firtha into the WBA world ratings.”
Hartford super bantamweight Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (23-2, 8 KOs), the reigning New England and EBA champion, will be in a crossroads fight to continue his journey back to the top of the 122-pound division, taking on 4-time world title-holder Mauricio “Indio Boy” Pastrana (35-13-2, 23 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature.
Long Island light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs), the 2008 New York Golden Gloves Champion, goes for his fifth consecutive first-round knockout in his fifth pro fight against Walter Foster (4-2-1, 4 KOs) of Panama City, Panama.
CES Ring of Honor Induction – Jamie Silva
One of New England’s best football players, Jamie Silva, will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor as an honorary member. Silva was the 2002 Rhode Island Player of the Year and he earned first team, All-America honors in 2007 as a safety at Boston College. He is a member of the defending American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts.
Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts are New Haven middleweight “Slick” Rick Dawson (1-0, 1 KO), brother of light heavyweight star “Bad” Chad Dawson, vs. Jeremiah Jones (1-3-1), of Toledo, Ohio; Bridgeport (CT) super lightweight Carlos Hernandez (0-1) vs. Fall River’s (MA) pro-debuting Jonathan Vasquez; New Haven junior welterweight Edwin Soto (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Bryan Abraham (2-3-1, 2 KOs); New Haven prospect Luis Rosa, Jr. (2-0) vs. pro-debuting John Passantino of Seldon, NY, and unbeaten Philadelphia welterweight Frankie Trader (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Springfield’s (MA) Noel Garcia (2-3-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Pride & Power,” priced at $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Ticketmaster customers may log on to www.ticketmaster.com, call Ticketmaster’s national toll-free charge by phone (1.800.745.3000) or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.