LOS ANGELES, January 25 – A pair of unbeaten prospects from Uzbekistan, light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov and junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov, are set to make their United States debuts in separate bouts on January 29 on the Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov II card at The Joint at Hark Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a four-time Uzbekistan National Amateur Champion, and Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KOs) a 2007 World Military Games Gold Medalist, have been training in North Carolina with veteran trainer Don Turner in preparation for their January 29 bouts. Both fighters are promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, January 29 main event challenger Beibut and Chingis.
In his last fight, Ahmedov knocked out Douglas Otieno (19-2, 9 KO’s) in the opening round on the Campillo-Shumenov I card, capturing the PABA light heavyweight belts that Shumenov relinquished prior to challenging Campillo in their WBA Light Heavyweight Championship match last August in Kazakhstan.
“I’m excited for this fight because one of my goals has always been to fight in Las Vegas,” the personable Ahmedov explained. “I have trained in Las Vegas, but this will be my first time fighting there. The Shumenov brothers are the reason I am fighting in the United States and I’m thankful to them. Beibut is a fighter himself, so he knows what it takes to be a champion and understands what a fighter goes through so he treats us like people.”
Ahmedov continued, “If everything goes as planned and I win this fight, Beibut has talked about getting me a shot at a world title in 2010. Because Beibut and I are like brothers, so even though we are in the same weight class, we will never fight each other. We want to both be world champions together, just for different organizations.”
Ravshan also fought on the Campillo-Shumenov I event, stopping veteran Joseph Miyumo (30-7-5, 17 KO’s) in the sixth round to keep his perfect pro record intact. “I’m very happy to be fighting January 29 in Las Vegas,” Ravshan said. “It’s been one of my dreams to fight there. I want to thank my promoter, KZ Event Productions, for giving me the opportunity to fight in the United States. I want to wish Beibut luck in his bout and that I hope that he wins the world title. This is a very important fight for him and all of us with KZ Event Productions and I’m very happy to be promoted by KZ and grateful for what they’ve given me. I will not let them or the fans down on January 29 as I’m going to give everybody a good fight to watch, so don’t miss it.”
Ahmedov and Hudaynazarov are scheduled to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined.
“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between the defending champion, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs). The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) takes on veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s), winner of hit reality television show The Contender II, in a 10-round bout.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
CONTACTS:
Ramiro Gonzalez/Monica Sears, Golden Boy Promotions: (213) 489-5631
Cary Redlin, KZ Event Productions: (702) 496-0777
Fred Sternburg, Sternburg Communications: (303) 740-7746
Dorian Cantrell, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: (702) 693.5086
Chris Bellitti, Fox Sports Net: (212) 556-2477
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press: (978) 664-4482
For Media Credentials: Email Jamie Vargas (GBP1@goldenboypromotions.com)
Trainer of former heavyweight contender David Tua receives second chance with talented Beibut Shumenov
By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun
The former Olympic boxer, now Las Vegas-based trainer Kevin Barry, isn’t calling Jan. 29 his “comeback” exactly.
Still, the 50-year-old trainer admits that the thought of chasing a world boxing title again has added excitement to his life.
“I’ve been involved in boxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts for the last few years, so I wouldn’t use the word comeback,” Barry said. “But as far as having a fighter competing at the highest level, this is the first time in awhile.
“So that situation by itself sort of makes things a little more exciting for me.”
For the last two months, Barry, who acted as trainer and manager of former heavyweight contender David Tua from 1992 to 2003, has been working closely with light heavyweight standout Beibut Shumenov in Las Vegas.
The two will get the first opportunity to track their progress Jan. 29, as Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO) is set to face Gabriel Campillo for the WBA light heavyweight championship at the Hard Rock Hotel. The championship fight is a rematch of their August fight in which Campillo took a close, majority decision.
If Shumenov is successful in claiming the title, he will become the first world champion Barry has trained in his long career.
Earlier in his career, Tua came close to giving his trainer that satisfaction, but he ultimately never claimed a world title.
“The biggest disappointment I had of Tua is that he never wore the heavyweight belt,” Barry said. “He won other belts but never a world championship. He knocked out guys that wore the belt, but he never wore it himself.”
Barry said he initially was hesitant to work with Shumenov, despite the 26-year-old’s early success as a professional.
After representing his home country of Kazakhstan in the Olympics in 2004, Shumenov turned pro in 2007 and shortly thereafter moved to Las Vegas.
He went undefeated in his first eight fights, including wins over two former world champions — Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell.
Despite his success however, Shumenov remained unhappy with his trainer situation and eventually made a strong request to Barry, whom he met in 2007, to become his full-time man.
Even though Barry turned down the offer at first, he ended up taking the job in November when Shumenov came to him a second time.
“I was doing other things, and I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to give 100 percent of myself into chasing a boxing title again,” Barry said. “To be truthful, it was my wife that said to me, ‘Kevin, you have to do this for yourself.’
“After one week, I knew she was right. I’m thrilled I made this decision.”
It’s been more than six years since Barry last cornered the electric Tua, who fought the likes of Lennox Lewis, Hasim Rahman and John Ruiz.
The two was an uncommon duo at the time. Both fighter and trainer hailed from New Zealand, and Barry remembers there were many skeptics when Tua made the decision to begin his professional career at the age of 19.
“It was a unique story,” Barry said. “We both came from New Zealand and it had never been done before. No one thought it could be done. I was with him when he turned pro at 19 and was still washing dishes.
“A lot of people thought I was going to get him killed. Of course, we proved everyone wrong.”
Tua started his career 27-0 and built a reputation as one of the best power punchers in the world. Some of his best moments, in Barry’s opinion, included a 19-second knockout over Ruiz in 1996 and a 30-second knockout of Michael Moorer in 2002.
“The 19-second knockout of John Ruiz is forever embedded in my memory,” Barry said. “And we spent the whole camp before the Moorer fight working on a right hook, because everyone knew he had a left hook. He threw the right and knocked Moorer out cold.
“It was the greatest time. What we achieved was fantastic, and those are the things I’m excited about to be a part of again.”
What Barry is hoping to forget is the way his relationship with Tua ended — a long court battle between the two over financial matters that lasted nearly six years.
According to Barry, the bittersweet ending of that relationship was another factor in his reluctance to get involved with professional boxing again.
“It left an enormously sour taste in my mouth,” Barry said. “We had some great experiences together for 12 years and then it ended in a massive court battle that lasted six years. I lost a lot of faith in fighters because of it.”
Shumenov has replaced some of that lost faith in Barry now, as the trainer said he can see himself staying in this partnership “for a long time.”
No matter what happens later this month, it’s clear Barry is enjoying his second chance at the highest level of the sport.
“I hear from my closest friends they can see it,” Barry said. “I haven’t had this drive, this purpose or this hunger since Tua. I consider myself very lucky that here I am in my first with Beitbut, and he’s challenging for the title.
“I’m excited about this fight and I’m excited about the future.”
RISING UNDFEATED STAR ERISLANDY LARA FACES HIS FIRST “CONTENDER” AGAINST GRADY BREWER ON JANUARY 29
LARA VS. BREWER TO AIR IN CO-FEATURED BOUT ON FOX SPORTS NET
AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
LOS ANGELES, January 13 – Former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara has made his mark in the professional ranks with the same speed and impact that his blistering combinations make on his opponents, and after just nine fights, he appears to be ready to graduate to the next level. On Friday, January 29, the undefeated rising star will be featured in a 10-round junior middleweight bout that will push Lara to the limit as he takes on 154-pound standout and the winner of the second season of “The Contender,” Grady Brewer. Lara vs. Brewer will be the opening bout of the Fox Sports Net telecast headlined by Campillo vs. Shumenov II from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Former amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) has made a seamless transition to the professional ranks since defecting from Cuba in 2008, and in just nine professional fights has dazzled boxing insiders and fans alike with his speed, power and poise. Fresh off of a near-shutout win over veteran Luciano Perez in his first 10-round fight last December, Lara will up the ante once again when he takes on seasoned contender Grady Brewer in a ten round junior middleweight bout.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I’m happy to be fighting a quality opponent like Grady Brewer,” said Lara. “I know he’s going to come ready to fight, but so am I, and I want to make a statement by giving the fans my best performance yet.”
The story of Lawton, Oklahoma’s Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s) is the classic tale of a fighter who came up the hard way, but in 2006, Brewer finally got his chance to shine as a competitor on the hit reality series “The Contender.” By the end of that year he scored three victories and defeated former World Champion Steve Forbes to take home the series crown. Since then, Brewer has put together four more wins, three by knockout and is eager to pin the first loss on Lara’s record on January 29.
“There’s no denying Lara’s talent, but he’s not ready for me or this fight,” said Brewer. “I’ve paid my dues the hard way and now it’s time for me to make my move. This ain’t the amateurs and I’m going to let Lara know that on January 29.”
“Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round Light Heavyweight World Championship rematch between Spain’s Gabriel Campillo defending his WBA crown against Las Vegas resident Beibut Shumenov. The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing, which will be hosted by and attended by future Hall of Famers Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
Contacts: Ramiro Gonzalez/Monica Sears, Golden Boy Promotions: (213) 489-5631
Cary Redlin, KZ Event Productions: (702) 496-0777
Fred Sternburg, Sternburg Communications: (303)740-7746
Dorian Cantrell, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: (702) 693-5086
Chris Bellitti, Fox Sports Net: (212)556-2477
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664.4482
For Media Credentials: Email Jamie Vargas (GBP1@goldenboypromotions.com)
GABRIEL CAMPILLO VS. BEIBUT SHUMENOV CLASH IN REMATCH
FOR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ON JANUARY 29
AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS AND TELEVISED LIVE ON FOX SPORTS NET
TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW, SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 12 PM PT!
LOS ANGELES, January 8 – On Friday, January 29, KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions are pleased to present an evening of world championship boxing when they present “Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the 12-round main event, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo will defend his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against Las Vegas resident Beibut Shumenov, who will defend his IBA Light Heavyweight World Title, in a rematch of their heated 2009 title fight. In that August bout, Campillo upset the odds in an exciting 12 rounder that saw both men hit the deck before the Spaniard took the razor-thin and highly controversial majority decision.
“Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” is presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing, which will be hosted by and attended by future Hall of Famers Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets), and go on sale this Saturday morning, January 9, at 12pm PT. Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
Also in action will be undefeated Cuban star Erislandy Lara, Uzbekistani standouts Gayrat Ahmedov and Ravshan Hudaynazarov, and hot California prospect Ronny Rios.
A professional since 2002, 31-year-old Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KO’s) really hit his stride 2009. Formerly the holder of the Spanish light heavyweight title, Campillo kicked off last year by decisioning Lolenga Mock for the European Union belt. Just three months later on June 20, he defeated Hugo Garay in his home country of Argentina for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title before finishing off 2009 with his win over the previously unbeaten Shumenov. On January 29, he looks for a repeat against Shumenov in his United States debut.
One of boxing’s most amazing stories, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO’s) represented his country of Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics, but didn’t make his professional debut until 2007. Shumenov quickly made up for lost time, defeating veterans Donnell Wiggins and Epifanio Mendoza, as well as former World Champions Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell, all within his first eight professional fights, an impressive feat by any standards. Although he lost to Campillo in his first world title bout last year, the 26-year-old Shumenov plans to use the defeat as a learning experience and aims to reverse that result on January 29.
Former amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) has made a seamless transition to the professional ranks since leaving Cuba, and in nine fights has dazzled boxing insiders and fans with his speed, power and poise. Fresh off of a near-shutout win over veteran Luciano Perez in his first 10-round fight last December, Lara will face an opponent to be named in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.
Making their United States debuts on January 29 will be light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) and his fellow countryman from Uzbekistan, junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (9-0, 7 KO’s). Both fighters are known for their ring savvy and exciting styles, and with Ahmedov riding a five-fight knockout streak and Hudaynazarov winning his last three bouts by knockout, fans can expect fireworks from both of them when they compete in eight round bouts against opponents to be announced.
19-year-old featherweight phenom Ronny Rios (8-0, 4 KO’s) kicks off his 2010 campaign on January 29 and if his 2009 season was any indication, fight fans should be in for something special from the Santa Ana, California native, who went 6-0 with 3 knockouts last year. Rios will see action in a six round featherweight bout.
For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing .
Contacts: Ramiro Gonzalez/Monica Sears, Golden Boy Promotions: (213) 489-5631
Cary Redlin, KZ Event Productions: (702) 496-0777
Fred Sternburg, Sternburg Communications: (303)740-7746
Dorian Cantrell, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: (702) 693-5086
Chris Bellitti, Fox Sports Net: (212)556-2477
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482
