Beibut Shumenov: A New Belt and Weight Class
Exclusive Interview by Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña
“It’s not so much learning about myself as a boxer, rather finding the right coach and putting together a team that works as one.”—Beibut Shumenov
Recently I had the opportunity to interview the current interim WBA World Cruiserweight Champion and former WBA (Super) Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov, 16-2, 10 KO’s. Shumenov is one of those fighters who fly under the radar.
In 2007 Beibut moved to Las Vegas where he also trains. Shumenov is now working with highly-regarded Cuban head trainer Ismael Salas. Salas has trained world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriokis Gamboa, Danny Green, Jesse Vargas and Jorge Linares. The future appears very bright for Shumenov in the cruiserweight division…
AS: Beibut your last two fights have been at Cruiserweight. Do you feel comfortable fighting at this weight?
I feel very comfortable at this weight. I had to lose too much weight to fight at light heavyweight. It was very stressful and I was working more on losing weight than preparing to fight. I had no stress at all making 200 pounds for this last fight and I was able to focus solely on preparing for the fight.
AS: Do you feel naturally big enough to compete with boxers at the top cruiserweight level?
Physically, I’m a natural cruiserweight. I was originally going to fight as a cruiserweight and could have fought as a heavyweight, I walk around at 230 pounds and I’m 6’ 2”, but I was convinced early on in my career to fight as a light heavyweight.
AS: You are now being coached by famed Cuban head coach Ismael Salas. What have you learned about yourself as a boxer under his direction?
It’s not so much learning about myself as a boxer, rather finding the right coach and putting together a team that works as one. Ismael Salas is a genius. We worked on a game plan that was successful in my last fight, however, this is a process and I’m still learning. Like my trainer says, there are no limits, and I still haven’t perfected what he’s teaching me. It really comes down to a lot of hard work and repetitions of muscle memory.
AS: what areas do you feel you’ve most improved on?
I’ve become a more complete boxer but I am still learning every day and I still see myself continuing to improve to become a better boxer.
AS: Your last fight was against BJ Flores. What improvements in your overall performance did you notice?
I was happy with my performance but I only utilized about 30 percent of my skills that we had been working on in the gym. We worked on a game plan and it was successful in my last fight and I will continue to work together with Ismael and my team to improve.
AS: What areas of your boxing style are you most concerned about? What do feel you can improve on?
There is always room for improvement and I feel that I have more work to become the best complete boxer that I can be. Also, I need to stay more active to keep developing.
AS: Do you plan fighting before the end of the year?
Yes, I will be fighting before the end of the year. I will be speaking with my manager Al Haymon, who is working on my next fight date and opponent. Also, I want to be much more active now and fight four or five times a year.
AS: Who do look forward to fighting in the cruiserweight division?
I’m looking forward to fighting any of the top cruiserweights in the world.
AS: Krzysztof Glowacki surprised many boxing fans with his knockout of Huck. Do you see a future unification fight with him?
My ultimate goal is to be the unified cruiserweight champion of the world, so I am interested in fighting any of the world champions in the cruiserweight division.
AS: Last question where do you rank yourself amongst the top fighters in the Cruiserweight division?
It’s not for me to rank myself. I just want to fight the top cruiserweights and unify the titles to test myself in terms of how I will do against the best in the world.
Beibut Shumenov
Weight Class: Cruiserweight
Professional Record: 16-2, 10 KO’s
Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result
2015-07-25 BJ Flores 31-1-1 Palms Casino and Resort, Pearl Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W UD 12
interim WBA World cruiserweight title
2014-12-13 Bobby Thomas Jr 14-2-1 MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W RTD 5
2014-04-19 Bernard Hopkins 54-6-2 DC Armory, Washington, District of Columbia, USA L SD 12
WBA Super World light heavyweight title
IBF World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2013-12-14 Tamas Kovacs 23-0-0 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA W TKO 3
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
WBA Super World light heavyweight title
2012-06-02 Enrique Ornelas 33-7-0 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W UD 12
WBA World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2011-07-29 Danny Santiago 31-4-1 South Point Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W TKO 9
WBA World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2011-01-08 William Joppy 39-6-2 Sport Palace, Shymkent, Kazakhstan W KO 6
WBA World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2010-07-23 Vyacheslav Uzelkov 22-0-0 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, USA W UD 12
WBA World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2010-01-29 Gabriel Campillo 19-2-0 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W SD 12
WBA World light heavyweight title
International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
2009-08-15 Gabriel Campillo 18-2-0 Sport Complex “Daulet”, Astana, Kazakhstan L MD 12
WBA World light heavyweight title
2009-05-09 Byron Mitchell 27-4-1 Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan W TKO 4
vacant International Boxing Association light heavyweight title
WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight title
WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight title
interim PABA light heavyweight title
2008-12-13 Epifanio Mendoza 28-6-1 Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, Washington, USA W UD 10
2008-08-02 Montell Griffin 49-7-0 Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan W UD 12
WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight title
WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight title
2008-04-22 Lavell Finger 26-2-0 Arman, Shymkent, Kazakhstan W KO 1
interim PABA light heavyweight title
WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight title
vacant WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight title
2008-04-10 Donnell Wiggins 24-10-4 Arman, Shymkent, Kazakhstan W KO 2
vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight title
interim PABA light heavyweight title
2008-03-21 Shannon Miller 23-39-8 Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, USA W TKO 4
2008-02-22 Cedric Howard 0-1-0 Xtreme Indoor Karting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA W KO 1
2007-11-17 Walter Edwards Wilson Gymnasium, Wilson, North Carolina, USA W TKO 1
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