WBA Strips Beibut Shumenov of ‘Regular’ Belt

[Ruthless-RKO]

Beibut Shumenov, whose third run as a cruiserweight titlist ends just as unspectacular as the previous two—conceding the strap without so much as a single successful defense. The 35-year old boxer from Kazakhstan is officially once again a former titlist, as his version of the World Boxing Association (WBA) “Regular” cruiserweight title is now in the possession of Arsen Goulamiriam, whom claimed the belt by default.

The two were due to collide in a title consolidation clash, with King putting up a massive bid of more than $820,000 this past February to secure promotional rights. The Hall of Fame promoter—who has long ago watched the game pass him by—vowed to stage the event in Shumenov’s homeland, hailing it the “Thrilla in Kazakhstan” and promising to use the show to help promote peace and unity.

The event was due to take place in mid-May. It instead became a charitable cause, as King’s inability to stage the show helped give away his fighter’s title to Goulamiriam (24-0, 16KOs), a 31-year old Armenian cruiserweight who now lives and trains in Big Bear, Calif.

As for Shumenov (18-2, 12KOs), what the future holds for the former two-division titlist isn’t immediately clear.

The 35-year old boxer—who lives and trains in Las Vegas—has fought just three times in the past five year. An eye injury prompted him to retire in 2017, following multiple postponements of his mandated title defense versus Yunier Dorticos. He returned to the ring last July, scoring a 9th round stoppage of unheralded Hizni Altunkaya in a bout which inexplicably carried WBA title sanctioning.

Shumenov is now reduced to “Champion in Recess”, which grants him a title shot any time he so chooses to pursue one. For his sake, he better hope another promoter besides his own is ready to pick up the tab to ensure such a fight actually materializes.
Plans for Goulamiriam’s next fight have yet to be established in light of the title upgrade.

[dagilechia]

so Shumenov is the champion in recess but Lebedev is some kind of champion in recess too isn't he?
Goulamirian has the interim belt, Usyk has the Super belt, Egorov and Masternak were rumoured to fight for the WBA Gold belt (Masternak rejected the offer though so it's probably Egorov vs TBA for WBA Gold belt)

so, the WBA will have 5 types of champions in CW division

[Ruthless-RKO]

so Shumenov is the champion in recess but Lebedev is some kind of champion in recess too isn't he?
Goulamirian has the interim belt, Usyk has the Super belt, Egorov and Masternak were rumoured to fight for the WBA Gold belt (Masternak rejected the offer though so it's probably Egorov vs TBA for WBA Gold belt)

so, the WBA will have 5 types of champions in CW division

Goulamirian Has been promoted to ‘Regular’ status.

[dagilechia]

Goulamirian Has been promoted to ‘Regular’ status.

so let's wait until wba promotes another interim champion and we will have even 6 types of champions

[boxing_rocks]

Shumenov never deserved to have a belt at any weight anyway.

However, it showed again that dealing with corrupt Kazakh authorities is close to impossible. They let down two fighters from their country. First, they didn't cooperate with Golovkin against BJS fight and now this one. They promise big funding first, but then you need to pay them back "cuts" which may reach 50% of the government money.

[gilgamesh]

Had no idea he was even still an active fighter, and yet he somehow had a belt?

[boxing_rocks]

Had no idea he was even still an active fighter, and yet he somehow had a belt?

He "earned" the belt the same way he was doing it before, by paying necessary people.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Had no idea he was even still an active fighter, and yet he somehow had a belt?

He came back last year.

[dagilechia]

Had no idea he was even still an active fighter, and yet he somehow had a belt?

he defeated Hizni effing Altunkaya (after 2 years of inactivity), isn't that enough?

[gilgamesh]

he defeated Hizni effing Altunkaya (after 2 years of inactivity), isn't that enough?

Well I'm sold

[Ron C]

When his eye injury was first reported I remember it sounded pretty damn serious. Is it safe for him to continue fighting barely able to see out of one eye, if at all? He could end up messing up his other eye and go completely blind. I'm a fan o the guy. He's exciting. The 2 Gabriel Campillo fights were wars. Even though the one he lost I thought he won, and the one he won I thought he lost lol. I like the pressure he puts on his opponents. Win, Lose, or Draw, he was usually fun to watch

[Ruthless-RKO]

When his eye injury was first reported I remember it sounded pretty damn serious. Is it safe for him to continue fighting barely able to see out of one eye, if at all? He could end up messing up his other eye and go completely blind. I'm a fan o the guy. He's exciting. The 2 Gabriel Campillo fights were wars. Even though the one he lost I thought he won, and the one he won I thought he lost lol. I like the pressure he puts on his opponents. Win, Lose, or Draw, he was usually fun to watch

He’d be a good opponent for any of the other top contenders or the guys on WBSS.

[dagilechia]

he would lose (by KO or wide decision) to all of the WBSS participants, except of Fayfer (it would be probably 50/50)

[Lackeos]

The WBA held a vacant title fight between Shumenov and Junior Anthony Wright. Two years later, they held a vacant title fight between Shumenov and Hizni Altunkaya. It's like they were going out of their way to have a sh*tty champion, just like they do at heavyweight.

Btw, the WBA website recognizes Arsen Goulamirian as their ordinary champion (Lebedev is super champ). It says Goulamirian's fight with Mark Flanagan was for the championship, and his fight with Ryad Merhy was for the interim championship. Boxrec does not reflect this information. But this is consistent, as it's another example of a sh*tty fighter fighting sh*tty opponents for a vacant WBA belt.

[tiny_acres]

Trying to figure out any WBA lineage is impossible. All of their belts have turned into a joke

[giacomino]

Shumenov is easily one of the biggest frauds in boxing over the past 25 years. He lost to Campillo probably 9 rounds to 3 but they gave him Campillo’s Lt. Heavy belt anyway. He defended against a parade of bums before losing it, then was gifted two laughable bum fights to “win” cruiserweight belts. He’ll never fight a legitimate opponent, so they might as well take his paper belt