International News

BOXING CUTMAN SOUZA PASSES AWAY AT 77

PHOTO: J. MICHAEL SHORT The San Antonio News

Famed cutman Joe Souza passed away late Monday evening after battling cancer for nearly ten years. Joe was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, and it unfortunately spread to other organs. Just two weeks before his 50th wedding anniversary, Joe passed away with his wife and kids by his side.

The boxing advocate was 77 years old.

Souza was best known for his role as "boxing's cutman of choice" for over 20 years. On big fight night without fail, he would always be seen working in a fighter's corner opposite another great cutman, Al Gavin Joe worked the corners of fighters Andrew Golota, Pernell Whitaker, Fernando Vargas, Vernon Forrest, Jesse James Leija, Vitali Klitscho, and Arturo Gatti.

Friend and colleague Lester Bedford recollects some of his most fond memories of the world renowned cutman.

"Joe was unforgettable. He was an original and there will never be anyone else like him. He always left a lasting impression on anyone with which he interacted."

"I know that if it weren't for Joe being in the corner of my fighter Jesse James Leija, we would have never won the title from Azumah Nelson in 1994," claims Bedford. "He was a miracle worker and easily the best in the business."

"James had a very bad cut in that fight and I feared that the fight would eventually be stopped as a result. Joe somehow worked his magic and the rest is history. He was a great guy, and everyone who knew him will miss him dearly."

Joe is widely known for his work throughout the entire historic Gatti/Ward trilogy, and for patching up arguably one of the worst cuts in the history of the sport during Klitschko/Lewis.

But, his greatest passion was amateur boxing and supporting fighter development. He owned the world famous San Fernando Gym in San Antonio, TX and sponsored several amateur boxing events every year.

Joe Souza is survived by his wife Virgina and his two kids Marie and Arthur, along with two grandchildren.

SALITA SET TO FIGHT FOR TITLE - MAYBE

Dmitriy Salita is ready for a fight. Dmitriy Salita is always ready for a fight. That’s what he does. It’s what he gets paid to do – Fighting is his business.

But Dmitriy fights his battles inside a rope-enclosed arena where there’s a referee who doesn’t permit fouls and makes sure that all rules are upheld. Now, suddenly, Dmitriy “The Star of David” Salita finds himself in another kind of fight – in an open arena where when someone yells “Break!” it doesn’t refer to a clinch, but often to a legal contract and when a referee is needed, he is cloaked in a black robe with a gavel in his hand.

Dmitriy says that this is not the kind of fight that he wants and explained that recently Salita Promotions entered into a written agreement with R2 Image & Events SARL, Ismael El Massoudi’s exclusive promoter, for a bout between Salita and Massoudi to take place at Madison Square Garden for the WBA Interim Welterweight Championship. For Salita it represented the climb back to that pinnacle he has worked so hard to attain in a professional career dating back to 2001. There is a world beyond boxing beckoning to Salita but there is that void, that emptiness that he feels must be filled in before he can move on. It’s a quality that makes Dmitriy Salita the special person that he is.

Then came the blow – Unexpected!? – Unfair!?

Shaking his head as though in disbelief, Dmitriy went on to relate that Hatton Promotions Ltd, Ricky Hatton’s promotional company and British Sky TV contacted R2 Image & Events for a bout between Matthew Hatton (42-5-2) and El Massoudi and was advised by R2 that they had already entered into an agreement for a bout with Dmitriy Salita, Nevertheless, according to Dmitriy, despite the knowledge of a prior agreement, Hatton Promotions contacted El Massoudi directly and the Manchester Evening News has stated that Matthew Hatton is close to a deal to challenge Ismael El Massoudi for the WBA’s interim welterweight title.

When I questioned Dmitriy that if El Massoudi was carrying on negotiations while knowledgeable of an already existing agreement, shouldn’t the finger be pointed at him? Dmitriy acknowledged that would be so. He also said that he respected Ricky Hatton for his accomplishments in the ring and does not enjoy the situation he finds himself in with legal letters going back and forth.

There has been no public statement by Ricky Hatton on the matter, or by El Massoudi. Hopefully, there will be a proper and sensible resolution.

If not, a fight’s a fight, and whether he has to slug it out in a ring or settle Round One in a Court of Law, Dmitriy Salita is ready. Fighting is still his business!

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 17, 2011) – Former World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Heavyweight Champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich is primed and set to challenge defending champion Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius for the WBO and World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Inter-Continental titles, next Saturday (Aug. 27) in a 12-round bout airing live in the United States from Efurt, Germany on the EPIX cable network.

Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs), who lives in Arizona, departs this Saturday for Germany, where Helenius resides. An impressive victory against Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs) -- WBO #2, IBF #3, WBA #9, IBF #13 and No. 9 by The Ring – will set the stage for a major showdown with either of the current world title holders, Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko.

“I am ready and looking forward to August 27^th,” Liakhovich said in between recent training sessions. “Helenius is a good fighter. He does certain things in the ring very well, but my job is to take that away from him. I will beat him at what he does badly and will take away what he does well. Fans are going to see a high- quality level of boxing and fighting from me.”

Liakhovich has a decisive experience advantage against Helenius, in terms of total professional fights (28 to 15) and rounds (161-70), as well as a huge edge in strength of opponents fought. Sergei is also being trained once again by Kenny Weldon, who worked with Liakhovich in the past, including his WBO title-winning performance against Lamon Brewster.

“My experience is a huge advantage in this fight,” Liakhovich noted. “I have been to war and back several times in my boxing career. There is no substitute for experience. Kenny and I are on the same page.”

Liakhovich’s Boston-based advisor and veteran boxing lawyer, Anthony Cardinale, revealed that Sergei passed on a much more lucrative offer to challenge Helenius.

“We were offered three times more money than this purse to fight one of the Klitschko brothers before Christmas,” Cardinale explained. “Sergei and I believe that there will be considerable more demand (and therefore much more money) for a Klitschko title fight following his defeat of Helenius. It was Sergei’s choice, and one I admire and respect

“Sergei is determined to win and more than ready to fight. Helenius is going to quickly find out that he is in the ring with someone he has not seen before -- an opponent as relentless, confident and skilled as Sergei.”

“This is Sergei’s first fight since signing with Main Events,” his promoter Kathy Duva said. “From our first conversation he has clearly expressed his desire to make a real statement in the heavyweight division by fighting absolutely anyone. He is taking on a big challenge in Helenius, but we expect that by next Saturday (Aug. 27) everyone will know that Liakhovich is back and ready to regain his world heavyweight title.”

Felix Sturm (35-2-1, 15 KO's) scored a seventh round TKO victory against Ronald Hearns (26-2, 20 KO's) at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, retaining his WBA Super World Middleweight championship. The win marked Sturm's 9th consecutive title defense.

Sturm, 32, worked behind a steady, spirited left jab that continuously found the target. Hearns moved well laterally and used his left jab repeatedly, but he was unable to penetrate Sturm's high defensive guard. His punches had little or no effect, which enabled Sturm to consistently press the action.

Sturm controlled the contest comfortably throughout the first four rounds. During the first 1:30 of round five, Hearns was exceptionally fluid with his shots, taking a multitude of chances to break Sturm's unyielding defense. In the closing moments of the fifth round, Sturm connected with a right cross - left hook combination to Hearns' head, briefly dazing the 32-year-old from Southside, Michigan, U.S.A.

In the seventh round, Sturm landed a quick left jab, and followed it with a sharp, straight right to Hearns' face. Hearns, who was trapped in the corner, momentarily dropped his hands. Sturm immediately capitalized, landing a devastating, flush right cross. Referee Raul Caiz, Jr. instantly halted the bout at 2:30.

Posted By Welcome to the BOXING LEDGER! to BOXING LEDGER | LATEST BOXING BLOGS | BOXING ARTICLES | BOXING BLOG FIGHT at 2/19/2011 06:26:00 PM

Considering Bradley Pryce had been in championship training, for a shot at Sam Webb’s British Light Middleweight Crown, Colin easily dominated the first five rounds with crisp jabs and heavy straight rights.

Pryce came back strong in the sixth and tried to bully his way through Colin. Pryce won his first round of the contest by being by far more assertive than he had in the early rounds as well as landing some telling shots.

More of the same came in the seventh and at one time Pryce managed to corral Colin on the ropes. Pryce’s late charge was paying dividends but at this point he really needed a knockout to stand any chance of securing the win.

Pryce kept the pressure up in the final round but Colin was savvy and just plain boxed his way to a well earned points victory.

Earlier today I spoke with Colin on phone about the fight, as well as his future plans. “I’m really, really pleased. It was a calculated risk but we knew we were right in ourselves and knew I was ready for up to ten rounds. So it’s all good and it’s onwards and upwards and we’ll start looking for titles.

I well won it, but I was treated like the away fighter. I think they thought that he would deal with me or get me out of there. A lot of boxing people thought the same, as it was my first fight back in nearly a year. Bradley was getting ready for Sam Webb so he was sort of championship training.

People were hoping I would be capable of dealing with him but realistically I think a majority of people thought he would deal with me or get me out of there.

He started to come back in the middle rounds a bit. His corner told him to go out there and get this kid out of there so he had a round or two where he tried to be the bully again but Jimmy instructed me to get back out there and take command of the centre ring, so I did.

There’s still loads to be done, that’s just with me being with Jimmy and Mark since the Summer. They’ve just been getting me into shape and now their talking about getting me back into the gym soon and getting down to some proper championship training, so I’m only going to take a couple of weeks out and then I’ll be back in the gym and next time I’ll be a lot better.”

Following the conversation with Colin I spoke with his new coach Jimmy Tibbs, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London, who added, “Good comeback fight after ten months out of the ring. Stamina was very well, little bit ring rusty.

I’ve got to say that he fought a man that was ready to fight for the Light Middleweight Championship of Great Britain, that was against Sam Webb.

Bradley Pryce was what you would call a big Light Middleweight and he looked it. You could see the difference in size that night. But there’s no complaint from our side, we knew what we walking into.

He done his job, stuck to his orders. I was very pleased with him

I believe he could have another couple of warm up fights and easily step into the British Welterweight title.

He done a great performance and Mark (co-trainer Mark Tibbs) and myself are both very proud of him.”

Colin and Jimmy have made it crystal clear that Championship honours are well and truly in their sights. I am sure that is pleasing news to his legion of loyal fans, as well as boxing fans the World over, that one of our great champions, and one of the nicest guys in the sport, is set for a revival.

Former WBU Lightweight Champion, turned promoter, Graham Earl promised closely matched, exciting fights on his return to York Hall on Saturday night with his ‘Capital Punishment’ event. Being a man of his word, that’s just what Graham delivered and much, much more.

For a start there were no less than three drawn bouts, albeit two being declared under the new BBBofC ‘technical draw’ rule. There was a massive upset, when Alex Spitko stopping Navid Iran. There was bloody drama when two fights were stopped due to bad cuts and there was controversy as Manny Oshunrinde was denied a clear stoppage win, only to receive a ‘technical draw’. More on these a little later.

The headline Southern Area Super Middleweight title clash between Paul Morby and Daniel ‘The Slick’ Cadman was a closely fought affair, so much so that after ten hard fought rounds the Referee declared the bout a draw.

The bout got of to quite a slow start as both protagonists feeling each other out, as such it was impossible to declare a clear leader after the first couple of rounds. Cadman had set his stall out, deciding to close the Champion down. Whilst Cadman did all the controlling it was Morby that landed the more meaningful punches, just not enough.

Round three was a much more lively affair, with plenty of back and forth exchanges. About midway through the round the crowd leapt to their feet as one as Cadman backed Morby onto the ropes and let rip with a powerful flurry of shots. Cadman was driven on, to try and finish the fight early following landing a vicious left to the body, that clearly hurt the Champion. Morby survived the onslaught but round three was clearly Cadman’s.

Cadman again seemed to hurt Morby with a an equally vicious left to the body in the fourth round. However this was the wake up call the Champion needed, Morby came back with some world class ring craft and salvo of punches of his own as he boxed his way out of trouble. Whilst again a very close round I felt that Morby had done just enough to claim the round.

Round five was all Cadman. The reigning champ showed he has the heart of a Lion, soaking up onslaught after onslaught , any of which looked sure to end the Champions reign at a moments notice. At times the round got messy, as Morby clung to Cadman in an effort to stop further punishing salvos. Cadman’s round for sure.

Round six was more or less an extension of the later part of the fifth, with Morby grabbing hold of Cadman each time he mounted an attack. Saying that there was some scintillating action, just more holding than action. Again I gave the round to Cadman as he was by far the more positive and landed the more meaningful, and hurtful, punches.

Round seven was again a close round, like in the previous rounds there was a lot of holding, but there was also plenty of back and forth action. I gave the round to Morby purely as he had landed the more telling punches.

Round eight saw some excellent action, between the holding that is. Again another very close round, this time I just couldn’t split the pair.

Round nine was a scrappy affair, but did include some fiery exchanges, as well as some rather amusing moments - first Cadman is sent head first through the ropes following some nifty footwork by Morby, who sidestepped an attack before spinning the flaying Cadman head first through the ropes.

Just moments later the tables were turned when Cadman stepped aside, matador style, as Morby charged forward. Morby’s pace was such that the momentum almost propelled him completely over the third rope and onto the officials table. Finally following another grappling session Morby gets pushed down to end up kneeling in front of less than amused referee.

At the end of the three minutes again it was impossible to declare a clear winner of the round.

With just the one round to go this fight could go either way. Morby comes out hard and fast but Cadman doesn’t seem fazed and stands his ground. Following yet more grappling sessions, interspersed by some scintillating back and forth action. Both gave there all, it was without doubt a magnificent, and again too close to call, final round, even with the holding and pushing, and truly deserving of the rapturous applause that ensued as the final bell rang.

The cheers quickly turned to jeers though as the referee lifted both Morby and Cadman’s hands high declaring the fight a 96-96 draw, as such Paul Morby gets to retain his title.

Hopefully there will be a rematch in the not to distant future.

Prior to the headline bout American Super Middleweight Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Oshunrinde was clearly robbed of his first win on British soil by the fight being declared a technical draw following the fight being stopped, in the first round, due to a serious cut over Smyle’s right eye.

Unlike the earlier technical draw decision, when a cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads, the cut to Smyle’s eye, as well as a serious swelling below the right eye, was caused by the many solid and highly accurate jabs and punches Oshunrinde landed throughout the short encounter.

Both protagonists started fast, however Oshunrinde quickly took control with his superior jab, often forcing Smyle backwards. Around half way through the round Oshunrinde again sent Smyle backwards, but this time followed up and let rip with a big left-right to the head.

Smyle covered up quickly, but not quick enough to stop another heavy straight right. Oshunrinde looked set to continue the onslaught but the eagle eyed referee had spotted the blood gushing from a cut above Smyle’s eye and called a halt to the proceedings.

The highly anticipated clash between Ultrachem TKO’s exciting London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker and Battersea’s fighting Fireman Nick ‘The Ox’ Okoth proved to be one of the fight’s of the night.

Balker’s savvy ring craft proved to be too much for ‘The Ox’. Right from the start Balker controlled the fight utilising crisp jabs to keep Okoth on the defensive before moving in to land solid jabs and right hands before stepping aside to thwart any return salvos from the heavy handed Okoth.

Round two see Okoth charge from his corner before swinging wildly in a effort to gain a semblance of control. Balker kept calm and stayed out of trouble by moving out of range and occasionally letting rip with accurate lefts and rights that slowed the advancing Okoth considerably.

Round three see Balker step things up a notch and just plain out box Okoth with crisp jabs and wicked combinations. Each time Okoth advanced Balker would let him back him onto the ropes before spinning Okoth and launching a controlled attack of his own. Often to the head but sometimes with a peach of a three punch combination that ended with a solid left to the body.

Round four was more of the same and it was no surprise that come the final bell the referee declared Balker the winner by a clear 40-36 points margin.

Before the break Redhill’s Daryl Setterfield had a short and bloody battle with Jay Morris.

Prior to the fight stopping cut there wasn’t much to choose between the two as they slugged it out. However the turning point came about three quarter the way through the first round after an accidental clash of heads.

Blood gushed from a nasty cut above Setterfield’s left eye and in an instant Morris was all over him like a rash. Setterfield covered up, protecting the wound from possible more damaging blows, and soaked up the pressure until the bell.

World class cuts man Jimmy Tibbs got to work on the badly damaged eye as Johnny Eames calmed Setterfield, who looked concerned by the extent of the bleeding.

As the bell rang for the second round Morris shot across the ring and let rip with a series of massive bombs. However instead of covering up Setterfield returned fire with a brace of exocets of his own.

Both returned to boxing, rather than attempting to take the other’s head off, but following another close quarter exchange a second accidental head clash reopened the wound, leaving referee Bob Williams no option but to stop the fight and declare the bout a technical draw.

The third fight of the night was set to be a feisty affair, as both Sutton’s Danny ‘Cassius Connor and Stevenage’s Terry Holmes had publicly stated their intention of knocking the other out.

Round one started fast, Connor using his superior jab to keep the raging bull attacks of Holmes at bay. Connor showcased his boxing skills whilst Holmes seemed content to throw bomb after bomb whenever he got in range, or not as the case may be. It was a close round but I felt that Connor had done enough to secure the round.

Round two was more of the same, until around midway when one of Holmes’ bombs hit the target - hard. Feeling more confident Holmes went on the attack forcing Connor back. Connor continued to use his jab to keep the terrier like Holmes at bay, however Holmes just wouldn’t back down. I see the round in favour of Holmes.

Things settled down a bit in the third round and some good toe-to-toe action ensued. Holmes slowed things down a bit and instead of launching wild attacks started picking his punches. Connor was boxing beautifully but the tide had turned firmly in favour of Holmes with his more controlled approach.

Round four was more of the same again and at one point looked like Holmes may have the stoppage he predicted after landing a big right before pouncing on Connor with a flurry of big shots. Connor weaved and ducked but with his back to the rope didn’t seem to have an escape route so let rip with a few of his own. This was enough for Holmes to take to the back foot. Connor pushed forward and let rip with a salvo of his own. The crowd were on their feet as the action flowed back and forth until the final bell rang and Holmes was declared victor by a 40-36 points margin - whilst I agree Terry Holmes won the fight I don’t feel it was a four round shutout.

The second bout of the night see a massive upset as Navid Iran lost his unbeaten record to Mansfield’s Alex ‘Pit Bull’ Spitko.

The early going was all Iran, who dominated with vicious two handed attacks. At around the midway mark of the first round it seemed the fight may already be over after Iran landed a massive right. Spiko’s legs were gone, but somehow the plucky Latvian exile stayed on his feet to weather the storm.

The turning point of the fight came in the second minute of the third round when Iran seemed to run out of wind. Spitko turned the tables big time and let rip with a full blown salvo, Iran tried to run but Spitko stayed on him like a rash throwing flurries of shots until the referee Bob Williams stepped in to stop the fight at the 2 minute 39 second mark.

The opening fight of the night, between Joe Hillerby and Ryan Clark, also featured a battle of former World Champions turned trainers, as Graham Earl was in Hillerby’s corner and Carl Greaves in Clarke’s.

The normally fast starting Clarke seemed a little more cautious than normal, which allowed Hillerby to take the first couple of rounds by forcing the pace throughout.

Round three see the real Ryan Clarke emerge. Normal service is resumed as Clarke starts letting rip with heavy hands. Hillerby is made of sterner stuff though, standing his ground and trading with equal venom. Much closer round but Hillerby still gets the nod and is set for a good win.

More of the same in fourth with Clarke throwing everything but the kitchen sink in an effort to stop the advancing juggernaut known as the ‘Belfast Banger’. No surprise that Hillerby and Graham Earl come out the winners in this one.

Without doubt Graham Earl is a man of his word as ‘Capital Punishment’ featured well matched bouts that produced plenty of drama and excitement, as well as a little controversy to keep everyone talking.

So there you have it. London’s first boxing show of 2011, can’t wait for the next - Bring it on!

SHYMKENT, Kazakhstan (January 8, 2011) – WBA/IBA Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov (11-1, 7 KOs) successfully defended his world titles for the second time, stopping 3-time world champion William Joppy in the sixth round, tonight in front of a packed house at the Ice Mansion in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Joppy (39-6-2, 30 KOs) replaced WBO titlist Juergen Braehmer, who last Monday night suddenly and unexpectedly pulled out of his scheduled unification showdown against Shumenov, in the main event.

The former Kazakhstan Olympian, now fighting out of Las Vegas, floored Joppy in the fifth round with a powerful right and seconds into the sixth round, he fired a vicious left hook to Joppy’s body that resulted in him taking a knee and being 10-counted out. Shumenov joined fellow world champion Lucian Bute and former superstar Felix Trinidad as the only fighters to ever stop the game, experienced Joppy.

“I’m happy but still want to be the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world,” Shumenov said after the fight. “That is my goal. I took a little while to get to Joppy because I had prepared four months to fight a southpaw.

“I can go toe-to-toe or move and box. I’m trying to learn everything to be the best, using my power and speed. He’s (head trainer Kevin Barry) the greatest. I listened to my corner. I want to fight the best - the other three world champions. I can’t be considered the best until I’ve beaten the other three champions.”

“Under the circumstances,” Barry noted, “I thought that Beibut’s performance was incredible. It was a fight that I didn’t like because he was fighting a last-minute replacement with a lot of excperience. Mentally and emotionally, I was concerned because he was deflated and he had to get back up in three days. He has a world-class jab. The plan was for him to throw to the body in the first few rounds and then go to the head. Everything worked out well for us.”

The show was presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and KZ Event Productions, which is owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis, in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, Uzbekistan native Ravshan Hudaynazarov (14-0, 12 KOs), rated No. 13 by the WBA, won the WBA FEDALATIN Welterweight title by 10th-round technical knockout due to a deep cut over Jose Luis “Chelin” Cruz’ right eye. A devastating body puncher, the 26-year-old Hudaynazarov dropped Cruz (41-8-2, 33 KOs) with a left hook to the liver late in the opening round, but his Mexican opponent proved to be as tough as advertised. Cruz had fought a draw with Carlos Baldomir and took Shane Mosley the full distance.

On the advice of the ring doctor, the referee stopped the fight in the 10^th round, but Hudaynazarov gained invaluable experience having never before fought more than six rounds. He won every round on the three judges’ scorecards through nine in a thoroughly convincing performance.

Former Kazakhstan National Amateur Champion Alexandr Zhuravskiy (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, kept his perfect pro record intact by knocking out Ruben “Modern Day” Galvan in the sixth round to capture the WBA International Super Lightweight Championship. Zhuravskiy methodically broke-down Galvan, who had been stopped only twice in 45 previous fights, flooring him with a left and then immediately jumping on him with a 1-2 combination that ended the fight.

Unbeaten Interim PABA Light Heavyweight Gayrat Shumenov (16-0-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 65 by the WBA, successfully defended that belt and added the WBC International crown to his collection when Tursunboy Absullakimov was unable to answer the bell to start the fifth round.

Hudaynazarov, Zhuravfskiy and Ahmedov are all in the KZ Event Productions stable of fighters.

Beibut Shumenov (11-1, 7 KOs), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA WKO6 (015) William Joppy (39-7-2, 30 KOs), Woodbridge, Virginia, USA

Gayrat Ahmedov (16-0-1, 11 KOs), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA WKO4 (3:00) Tursunboy Abdullakimov (13-5 3 KOs), Dzhizak, Uzbekistan

Ravshan Hudaynazarov (14-0, 12 KOs), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA WTKO10 (1:22) Jose Cruz (41-8-2, 33 KOs), Santa Ana, California, USA

Alexandr Zhuravskiy (10-0, 8 KOs), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA WTKO6 (2:14) Ruben Galvan (27-15-4, 10 KOs), Hammond, Indiana, USA

SHYMKENT, Kazakhstan (Jan. 7, 2011) – Despite the unannounced departure from Kazakhstan of WBO champion Juergen Braehmer, WBA/IBA Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov decided not to allow the devastating news derail his homecoming as a World Champion when he defends his titles Saturday night against 3-time world champion William Joppy in the 12-round main event at the Ice Mansion in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Failing to notify the promoters and his refusal to be examined by the federation doctor in Shymkent, Braehmer returned home to Germany on Tuesday claiming a case of diarrhea prevented him from facing Shumenov in a Unification bout.

Shumenov (10-1, 6 KOs) will now put his titles on the line against 3-time world middleweight champion William Joppy (39-6-2, 30 KOs), who was in Kazakhstan and scheduled to fight Saturday evening against WBA No. 6 and Interim PABA light heavyweight champion Gayrat Ahmedov (15-0-1, 10 KOs).

“I trained too hard for Braehmer and will not disappoint my fans and many dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, attending this sold-out show,” Shumenov explained. “I’m putting Braehmer in the rear view mirror and intend to get right back on track defending my titles against Joppy, who I applaud for accepting this fight, and focus on collecting the other world light heavyweight titles.”

“The Unification” is being presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and KZ Event Productions. Shumenov owns and operates the Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions along with his brother, Chingis, and is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Also fighting on Saturday night’s card are three boxers fighting under the KZ Event Productions banner: WBA No. 13 welterweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (13-0, 11 KOs) vs. former Mexican welterweight champion Jose Luis “Chelin” Cruz (41-7-2, 33 KOs), WBA FEDALATIN Welterweight Championship; former Kazakhstan National amateur champion Alexandr Zhyuravskiy (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Ruben “Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-14-4, 10 KOs), WBA International Championship; and Ahmedov (15-0-1, 10 KOs), vs. Dzhizak Abdullakimov (13-4, 3 KOs), Interim PABA and WBA International Championships.