Shumenov ready for Showtime Debut

LAS VEGAS (November 18, 2013) - World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and International Boxing Association (IBA) Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov (13-1, 8 KO's) will make his fifth title defense Sat., Dec. 14 on SHOWTIME from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The 30-year-old Shumenov, the 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian fighting out of Las Vegas, set a light heavyweight record for capturing a world title in the fewest career fights, 10, when he won (Jan. 10, 2010) a 12-round decision over Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas. Shumenov has successfully defended his WBA/IBA titles four times against No. 1 mandatory challenger Viacheslav Uzelkov (DEC12), three-time world champion William Joppy (KO6) and multi-world title challengers Danny Santiago (TKO9) and Enrique Ornelas (DEC12).  Shumenov's last fight was June 2, 2012 against Ornelas. 

"We tried to make a couple of unifications and different fights that for one reason or another fell through," he explained.  "We tried to made unification fights with [Nathan] Cleverly and [Chad] Dawson when they held belts, but they weren't interested in fighting me.  I've wanted to unify since I first won my WBA belt and we tried against then WBO champion [Juergen] Braehmer who literally ran out of town instead of stepping in the ring.  A unification fight is still a goal of mine.

"We are now looking ahead to the future, working with Golden Boy, my team and SHOWTIME.  I am looking forward to my first fight on SHOWTIME and fighting on this amazing card that Golden Boy Promotions has put together on December 14 with four world title fights.  It will be a great night of boxing for fans at the Alamodome and those watching on Showtime.  I am very appreciative to Showtime for putting me on its great network and Golden Boy Promotions for believing in me."

Shumenov faces undefeated, WBA No. 14-ranked challenger Tamas "Tomi Kid" Kovacs (23-0, 14 KO's).  The Slovakian has held a number of title belts, including the World Boxing Organization (WBO) European and World Boxing Federation.

"Kovacs is a tough guy who doesn't know what it's like to lose," Shumenov said. "He has nothing to lose and I expect him to bring his best.  I'm very excited to get back in the ring and fight on Showtime.  I'm really looking forward to this fight."