Why Beibut Shumenov Will be Boxing's Next Superstar

Earlier this week, I received a press release from Goossen Tutor Promotions about ESPN’s Friday Night Fights main event—WBA Light Heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov (9-1, 6 KOs) of Kazakhstan vs Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs) from Ukraine.

Right away I thought a few things to myself. First off, this guy is a WBA Light Heavyweight champion with only 10 professional fights? Was this a typo? Is this guy just really THAT good or is he heavily connected?

Secondly, my ignorant American mentality took over and I thought, so this dude being from Kazakhstan will be like Borat fighting for 12 rounds, right?

Wrong.

I could not have been more wrong. Shumenov did not resemble Borat one bit. In fact, he looked more like me—like he could be my cousin or something. Basically, he looked like a real handsome, fit, cut up Asian guy, just like myself.

More importantly, Shumenov fights in a very unorthodox, constant-pressure style. Much like a younger Juan Diaz, or even a prime Ricky Hatton, which obviously makes for a more entertaining fight.

From the opening bell, Shumenov applied the pressure on Uzelkov, who pretty much held a tight, high guard for the majority of the fight, much like how Arthur Abraham holds his guard up. However, unlike Abraham, Shumenov did not open up much except to try to land the one big knockout punch—not nearly enough to win any of the rounds.

Uzelkov did, however, knock down Shumenov toward the end of the first round and that pretty much was the only round that he won.

Shumenov dominated all the remaining 11 rounds, being the more dominant aggressive fighter, throwing non-stop shots to the body and head of the closed up Uzelkov, even scoring a knockdown of his own in the third round.

All three judges scored the fight for Shumenov by unanimous decision. The scores were 117-109, 118-108, and 118-108.

If Shumenov continues to fight like this he will, in no time, be a big star in boxing. Already winning the WBA light heavyweight belt after only 10 fights, a record that he currently holds, he also has the personality and characteristics of a true peoples' champion.

With his good looks, personal charity work, and exciting fighting style, Shumenov will take the boxing world by storm and start winning over a lot of fans.

Did I mention he is also a full-time boxing promoter and an attorney?

On ESPN Friday Night Fights, Dan Rafael and Teddy Atlas explained that Alexander Povetkin will indeed pull out of the Wladimir Klitschko fight, for Atlas felt he was not ready and seasoned enough for Wladimir yet.

Dan Rafael also commented on the ongoing Pacquiao vs Mayweather soap opera and did not really provide any satisfaction for all of us over frustrated fight fans.

I say forget that soap opera, lets see Beibut Shumenov fight again, A.S.A.P. Perhaps against the winner of the Glen Johnson vs Tarvois Cloud fight.