Beibut Shumenov Cruiserweight Factor
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
After a ring absence of two years, Beibut Shumanov has regained the vacant World Boxing Association World Cruiserweight title. Shumanov, 18-2 with 12 knockouts, a Kazakh fighter now fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, is once again a factor in the 200-pound limit cruiserweight weight class.
Shumenov was out of the ring over 26 months after defeating Junior Wright. Also a former world light heavyweight champion, Shumenov’s only unavenged loss is a 12 round split decision to Bernard Hopkins. Given Hopkins advanced age, a rematch is unlikely.
Shumenov could figure into the cruiserweight division if he fights up with his WBA regular world title. On July 7, 2018, Shumenov stopped 30-1 Hizni Alltunkaya to regain his WBA world title. Former world champion Marco Huck, who won a comeback bout last month, is a stronger possibility to challenge for Shumenov’s title. Krzysztof Glowacki, another former world champion, is also available. IBO World Cruiserweight champion Kevin Larena could fight a unification bout with Shumenov. IBF Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Champion Bilal Laggoune could also present a challenge. Andrzej Fonfara recently moved up to cruiserweight and won, he could present a challenge to Shumenov.
What is most clear is Shumenov will need to fight up in the cruiserweight division is his world title is to command and retain any degree of respect. The best of the cruiserweight division, Gassiev, Breidis, Dorticos, and Usyk, cannot be avoided by Shumenov in the long run. He will eventually have to fight them. The only question is when.
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