World Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov Severs Ties With Goossen Tutor Promotions

LAS VEGAS (March 17, 2011) – World Boxing Association/International Boxing Association Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov filed a lawsuit today (Thursday, March 17, 2011) against Goossen Tutor Promotions. The lawsuit asks the Nevada court to confirm that a promotional agreement between Shumenov and Goossen Tutor is terminated.

Shumenov terminated his agreement with Goossen Tutor Promotions in January of this year.

Shumenov alleges that Goossen Tutor Promotions violated its duties under the contract in different ways. The lawsuit charges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and deceptive trade practices and seeks a judicial confirmation that the agreement is terminated. Shumenov seeks unspecified damages, including punitive damages

Beibut is anxious to continue on his mission to unify the world light heavyweight titles and he will move forward through his promotion company, KZ Event Productions, Inc.

Shumenov (11-1, 7 KOs), the 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, has been on an unprecedented, accelerated pace since his pro debut only three years ago, defeating two world champions in his first eight bouts, Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell. A year ago, Shumenov established the mark for fewest pro fights needed to capture a major world light heavyweight title, defeating defending champion Gabriel Campillo by 12-round decision for the WBA crown in his 10th bout, breaking the record of 15 set by Jeff “Hit Man” Harding in 1989.

Shumenov was supposed to fight World Boxing Organization 175-pound titlist Juergen Braehmer in a Unification title fight January 8 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, however, Braehmer unexpectedly pulled-out of the match the week of the fight claiming gastrointestinal problems.

Shumenov registered a victory by sixth-round knockout against Braehmer’s replacement, Joppy, who became the fourth world champion Beibut has defeated during his relative young pro career.

Shumenov owns and operates the Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions along with his brother, Chingis.

For additional information about Shumenov go online to www.KZEventProductions.com.

Peter Manfredo, Jr. Wants Shot At Sergio Martinez' WBC Middleweight Championship

PROVIDENCE (March 17, 2011) – Middleweight contender Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr. had a ringside seat in MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods last Saturday night to witness the superlative performance turned in by WBC Emeritus and The Ring 160-pound champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, who dropped previously unbeaten WBO junior welterweight titlist Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk five times en route to a major statement-victory by eighth-round knockout.

Manfredo (37-6, 20 KOs), arguably the leading American middleweight challenger, is riding a six-fight win streak since losing to super middleweight Saki Bika in 2008. The star of The Contender, Season One is currently rated No. 7 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBC.

Now working fulltime as a laborer at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, ironically, where he headlined four major shows, Manfredo dreams of fighting Martinez there this summer. The popular Italian-American boxer is like a modern-day Rocky with a twist: Peter’s not breaking legs but he is sweeping floors to provide for his family.

“Martinez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, right up there with Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather,” Manfredo said. “Imagine me fighting him at The Dunk where I headlined shows and now work? That would be straight out of Hollywood! I know fight fans in Providence would give him a royal welcome. He would definitely be a tough fight for me and I’d be an underdog, but I’ve put myself in a challenger’s position the past two years, and I want a shot at the best. Getting a fight against Martinez is what fighters dream about, especially at home, and I’ve worked hard the past two years to get to this point. Hey, this is boxing and nothing’s written in stone; it only takes one shot to change the world. That’s boxing, and maybe I land an old Micky Ward shot to the body, and my life would be changed.

“Opportunities to fight somebody like Martinez don’t come around every day. Now is the right time for me. I’d be honored to get in the ring to fight him. I know I can compete with him. Like (Vinny) Paz says, ‘Fight or die.’ Styles make fights and this would be a very entertaining match-up. I’m a classic boxer-puncher and he’s a very fast, awkward fighter who seems to have found his power in the last few fights. Sergio keeps his hands down and bobs his head. Boxers aren’t taught to do that but he can because he’s so good. Martinez reminds me of Roy Jones. I’ve proven myself and want to get it on with Martinez.”

Manfredo has the proper pedigree, as an amateur and pro, in addition to possibly having a strength advantage versus Martinez, who has moved-up from junior middleweight, while Manfredo dropped down from 168. Three of Manfredo’s six career losses have been against much larger super middleweights – Joe Calzaghe in their WBO title fight, former world champ Jeff Lacy, and Bika.

During his 10 ½ year career, Manfredo has defeated world champion Frankie Randall, The Contender 2 winner Grady Brewer, previously unbeaten prospect Sherwin Davis, world title challengers Scott Pemberton and Alfonso Gomez, and present WBA No. 6 rated light heavyweight Joey Spina.

“I have valuable experience against great champions like Martinez,” Manfredo added. “I went through the whole thing with Calzaghe and learned a valuable lesson. I won’t make those mistakes again. I’m experienced fighting super middleweights, who were too big for me, but I’m a real middleweight. I’ll go for broke against Martinez, if given the opportunity, because I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Segura Expects Repeat Performance Versus Calderon

 ‘La Revancha’ PPV Apr. 2

HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 17, 2011) – WBO and The Ring light flyweight champion Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura expects nothing less than a winning repeat performance April 2 in his much anticipated rematch against former 108-pound king Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, headlining the “La Revancha” Pay-Per-View event, live from Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Mexico.

“La Revancha: Segura-Calderon 2,” presented by Zanfer Promotions and PR Best Boxing, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $39.95.

Segura (26-1-1, 22 KOs), fighting out of Bell, California by way of Mexico, captured the WBO, The Ring and WBA Super light flyweight titles last October, when he knocked-out the previously unbeaten champion Calderon (34-1-1, 6 KOs) in the eighth round in Puerto Rico. Segura was leading (69-64, 68-65, 67-66) on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

“This time he’s coming off of a loss that I gave him,” Segura said. “And we won’t be fighting in his home, Puerto Rico, where he was used to fighting. I’m hoping he reacts differently fighting in Mexico. The only I real advantage I have fighting in Mexicali is the support of the people, but everything else will be the same for both of us – rules, referee, gloves and ring.

“Calderon’s plan will be to stay away from me. He’ll try running around the ring – that’s the way he fights – but the first moment he feels my punch his running will be behind him and I’ll stop him, hitting up and down. He already knows how hard I punch and he must be worried. He has to stay away to make sure I don’t beat him but I will stop him to win.”

The 28-year-old Segura, who will turn 29 the day before his fight against Calderon, also holds notable victories against Daniel Reyes KO1) and Carlos Tamara (DEC12). Giovanni has fought only once since defeating Calderon, last November in a non-title fight triumph against Manuel Vargas who retired after seven rounds.

“I see this fight going the same as the first one (one of the 2010 Fights of the Year),” added Segura, who has dedicated this fight to his son’s birth in July. “It’s going to be a war except it’ll be harder for Calderon because he knows my punching power. I’m working out in the gym as hard as I can. Another motivation factor for me is facing a Puerto Rican challenger. There’s always a rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican fighters. As a Mexican, I want to increase the number of Mexicans defeating Puerto Ricans. I’m been training real hard in Los Angeles, doing the same routine, running in parks, beaches and Mountains – all to beat Calderon! I had a Japanese sparring partner and right now there are three Latinos. We are at a strong time of preparation, almost ready but close enough to slowdown the rhythm.

“I will win. I don’t know how but I will look for a knockout, again in the eighth round. I’m not looking past this fight, but I’ll be looking for a fight against any of the 112-pound world champions. This is my last fight at 108 pounds. I’d like to make my first fight, as soon as possible, against WBO flyweight champion (Julio Cesar) ‘Pingo’ Miranda. I always go directly for what I want and had no doubts of my triumph in Puerto Rico. Nobody can make me doubt my abilities, I am a warrior.”

Prior to fighting Segura Calderon had been the WBO light flyweight champion for more than three years (six successful title defences) and WBO minimum weight titlist (11 successful title defences) from 2003 until he moved up to light flyweight in 2007. Ivan is currently rated No. 1 by The Ring and No. 3 by the WBO.

His boxing resume reads like a Who’s Who list of great 108 and 105 pound world champions and challengers, including victories against the likes of Rodel Mayol, Reyes, Higo Fidel Cazares (twice), Nelson Dieppa, Issac Bustos, Roberto Carlos Leyva, Ednar Cardenas, Alex Sanchez and Eduardo Ray Marquez.

The co-feature matches Mexican featherweight champion and three-time world title challenger, Ricardo “Piola” Castillo (39-9-2, 26 KOs), against former WBC Continental Americas super featherweight titlist Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Castillo is the younger brother of 2-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

For more information about the Segura-Calderon 2 PPV event go to www.integratedsportsnet.com. Follow Integrated Sports Media on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.