Skip to main content

Team Shumenov disinterested in Hopkins bout

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
KZ say no interest in ‘B-Hop’ defence

WBA light-heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov is likely to avoid a potential meeting with Bernard Hopkins in the wake of Oscar De La Hoya’s comments to WBN that their main aim for a return for the former world champion is a fight with the Kazakhstan boxer.

A KZ Promotions representative contacted me in light of De La Hoya’s admission to verify that Shumenov has no interest in a fight with the aging former WBC title holder as the Las Vegas-resident looks for a unification bout.

“In regards to reports out there in the media about a Shumenov/Hopkins fight in the fall, I can confirm that any reports or rumours are false," KZ told World Boxing News.

“We informed GBP a while back that we have zero interest in fighting the 47 year old Hopkins.

“Beibut has much respect for Hopkins but we are pursuing other younger options and unifying is still one of our goals, too.”

Shumenov, 28, revealed to WBN that a possible fight with WBO belt holder Nathan Cleverly has passed the initial contact phase and could happen if the Welshman is willing to fight in the US for his next defence.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

The Tragedy of Billy Collins Jr.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  Collins after the fight Williams Ray Collins Jr. or Billy Collins Jr. as he became known, was born to a boxing father in Antioch, Tennessee in 1961. His father William Sr, once fought Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes and wanted his boy to follow in his footsteps, so decided to train Billy himself. Collins Jr. turned pro in 1981, a welterweight, just like his father before him and impressively won his first 14 professional contests, 11 by knockout with eight inside the first three rounds. It was 1983 and Billy was matched up against Puerto Rican journeyman Luis Resto on the undercard of Roberto Duran v Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden in a ten rounder. Resto wasn’t known for his punching power but Billy took a sustained beating for the full ten rounds, his face, badly damaged and his eyes were almost shut. After the fight, which Resto won on decision, Billy’s father shook Resto’s hand and noticed there wasn’t much padding in his gl...
Read more

Rico Ramos captures world super- bantamweight title with KO

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Suavecito’ scores 20th straight win over Shimoda Undefeated Californian Rico Ramos produced a world-class left hand in the seventh round of his WBA title challenge against Japan’s Akifumi Shimoda to rip the belt away from the older southpaw in his first defence. The 24 year-old looked far from a world champion in the first five rounds, only gaining a foothold in the fight in round six, but ultimately produced the equalizer in the seventh to take the crown. Shimoda, 26, will be furious with himself as he bossed the majority of the fight and was up five rounds to one on my card going into the seventh round. One lapse in concentration with only thirty seconds left in round seven and Shimoda hit the canvas. The champion tried to get up at the count of nine, but stumbled over and the referee counted him out. The now former champion stayed down for a full minute before being helped to his feet and realising he no longer held the WBA belt. Also on the card i...
Read more

Tyson Fury responds to James Toney: Let’s get it on!

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former world champion could get his wish Unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury has reacted receptively to American James Toney’s recent advances for a clash in England this year and the fight may now be a realistic option for the former Irish champion. 43 year-old Toney, who has won multiple world titles at different weights, called out Fury in a recent interview where he also slated the US Olympic team and has never been one to hold his tongue when speaking out future opponents. 'Lights Out' seemed surprisingly respectful when speaking of Fury though and hopes to bring the lowly-regarded IBU heavyweight belt he won against former bare-knuckle champion Bobby Gunn for his first visit to the UK. Fury, 24, told WBN that he is willing to make the fading champion his 20th professional opponent, although the WBC’s number six ranked contender does admit that the Grand Rapids-born boxer has seen better days in his career. “James Toney was a ver...
Read more