Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
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.