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).

Click the link for an interview with Shumenov’s head trainer, Kevin Barry, regarding Braehmer and Joppy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HetyFQzYtOw

“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.

For additional information about go online to www.goossentutor.com or www.KZEventProductions.com.

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