World Boxing Association (“WBA”) and International Boxing Association (“IBA”) light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov and Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin have joined forces to promote Friday night’s “Fire& Fury” championship boxing card South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 12-round main event features Shumenov defending both belts against challenger Danny “The Bronx Bomber” Santiago (31-4-1, 19 KOs), who was featured on the third season of The Contender reality television series, live on TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate.”
2004 Kazakhstan Olympian Shumenov (11-1, 7 KOs), who lives and fights out of Las Vegas, set a light heavyweight record for capturing a world title in the fewest career fights, 10, when (Jan. 10, 2010) he won a 12-round decision against Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas. He has successfully defended his belts versus No. 1 mandatory challenger and previously undefeated Viacheslav Uzelkov (UDEC12), and three-time world champion William Joppy (KO6).
In only 11 pro fights, Beibut has defeated four world champions (Campillo, Joppy, Byron Mitchell and Montell Griffin), as well as two world title challengers (Uzelkov and Epifanio Mendoza). Because being a promoter and fighter can potentially distract from training, Beibut is teaming with living legend Chargin, who is 56 years older than the 27-year-old Shumenov.
“Don is an honest, trustworthy person who just happens to be a Hall of Fame promoter,” Shumenov said. “He has years of invaluable experience and an abundance of boxing knowledge. He really knows the ins and outs of the boxing business, in addition to having a keen eye for talented boxers, as well as knowing how to make interesting, competitive and entertaining match-ups. On top of all that, Don is an honorable man who works very hard. I’ve already learned a lot from working with him but more importantly, I feel privileged to call him my friend.
“I have a good team of people around me and now, thanks to Don’s involvement, I’m stress free. I know Don really has my back. I haven’t had to be part of any games that could be distractions, so I’ve been able to stay 100-percent focused on my training.”
Working with Shumenov has given Chargin a boost. “Beibut is one of the most intriguing people I’ve ever met,” Don remarked. “To accomplish what he has in only 12 fights and winning a world title is almost unheard of. I talk to him all of the time about doing a major title defense, something special, in Kazakhstan. It’s something I really want to do and I know the people over there want to, too.
“The dedication I’ve seen from him has given me new life. I really enjoy being around him. When his fighting days are over, I won’t be surprised if he’s as good a promoter as he is a fighter, or even better. One reason I came onboard was to take some of the things off his shoulders. He has a great team and we try and keep him out of the promotional part when he’s getting ready to fight. It’s hard to do because he cares so much about his fighters and promotional company.”
