LAS VEGAS (April 16, 2009) – Russian middleweight Roman “Made In Hell” Karmazin will fight at home in Asia for the first time in seven years, May 9 on a show presented by KZ Event Productions, Inc., outdoors at Khadjimukan Stadium in Chimkent, Kazakhstan. World-rated light heavyweight contender Beibut Shumenov headlines the star-studded show in his hometown against former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco” Berrio in the12-round main event for the vacant IBA World light heavyweight championship, as well as Shumenov’s WBO Asia Pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council and PABA Interim titles..
Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, Inc. is owned by the Shumenov brothers, pro boxer Beibut and Chingis.
Karmazin (38-3-1, 24 KOs), born in Kuznetsk, Russia, has been residing the past few years in Hollywood (CA), where works out of the famed World Card Gym in Los Angeles and is trained by Freddie Roach. In 1991, Roman went to Kazakhstan to serve in the military and he was allowed to workout at in a gym in Uralsk under trainer Uahasov Kvanysh. Two years later, Roman was discharged and Kvanysh offered him an opportunity to remain training in Uralsk. Impressed by what he had been taught, Karmazin agreed and he lived in Uralsk, marrying a year later and his son, Oleg, was born there in 1995. Oleg still lives and studies in Uralsk. Roman, however, left on the advisement of his trainer in 1995 to train in St. Petersburg (Russia) due to lack of sufficient sparring partners.
“I am very excited to be going back to Kazakhstan to fight on the Shumenov’s card,” Roman remarked. “I truly appreciate what Beibut and Chingis are doing to support the sport of boxing in Kazakhstan and all around the world. I hope to put on a great performance that will lead to a world title shot at the end of this year.”
A former European light middleweight champion, Karmazin captured the IBF light middleweight title in 2005, winning a unanimous 12-round decision against Kassim Ouma. Roman’s most notable victims over the years also include former world champions Alejandro Garcia and Bronco McKart, as well as Antwun Echols, and James Obede Toney.
In his last action, Roman successfully defended the NABF belt that he won last year by defeating McKart, stopping 3-time world title challenger Echols in the seventh round of their March 21st fight at the Playboy Mansion. Karmazin, rated No. 5 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBC, will fight an opponent to be determined May 9 in the 10-round co-feature.
Also fighting on the card is former WBO light welterweight title-holder DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (33-11, 19 KOs) and 4-time Uzbekistan National amateur champion Gayrat Ahmedov (10-0-1, 6 KOs), who will be making his KZ Event debut, in a pair of 8-round bouts against opponents to be determined.
“We’re excited to add a great fighter such as Roman Karmazin on our card,” promoter Chingis Shumenov said. “He’s the third former world champion, joining Berrio and Corley, fighting on the May 9th show. Roman is on his way to becoming world champion once again. He lived in Kazakhstan and fans certainly will give him a royal welcome home.
“KZ Event Productions is actively pursuing new talent to sign and everyone will be impressed by the newest member of our growing stable, unbeaten Gayrat Ahmedov. The May 9th show will be taped live and broadcast at a later date in North America. This summer we plan on promoting a show in the United States.”
2004 Kazakhstan Olympian sensation Beibut Shumenov (7-0, 5 KOs), the 2008 WBC Asian Boxing Council Organization’s Boxer of the Year, is already rated No. 8 by the WBA, No. 9 by the WBO and No. 16 by the WBC. His most notable win was a one-sided victory by 12-round decision (120-107, 120-108, 120-108) against former WBC title-holder Montell “Ice” Griffin (50-8, 30 KOs) last August in Kazakhstan.
Colombian knockout artist Berrio (28-5, 27 KOs) has been the distance only once in 33 pro fights, knocking out 27 of his 28 victims, highlighted by two victories against Robert Stiegltiz, once for the IBF super middleweight title, along with wins versus Syd Vanderpool and Yusaf Mack.
Also scheduled to fight May 9 on the undercard is heavyweight “Wreckless” Willie Chapman (21-29-4, 7 KOs) vs. Talgat Dosanov (12-11-1, 5 KOs), undefeated Uzbekistan light middleweight Ravshan Hudoinazarov (7-0. 5 KOs), Chimkent hometown favorites such as super bantamweight Yersin Jailauov (19-6-1, 7 KOs), middleweight Kanat Orakbaev (2-0, 0 KOs) and pro-debuting heavyweight Doszhan Ospanov. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
ABRAHAM LOPEZ FIGHTS IN ONTARIO ON FRIDAY NIGHT UNDEFEATED FEATHERWEIGHT FEATURED ON THOMPSON BOXING CARD
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 16, 2009) Highly regarded featherweight prospect Abraham Lopez will return to action against Puerto Rican native Daniel Lorenzana, Friday night, April 17th, as one of the feature bouts at “LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ”, an evening of world class professional boxing presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California .
The all action 21 year old Lopez, fighting out of his hometown of La Puente, California, has raised his record to 6-0 with five knockouts since turning professional in March of 2008. In his last bout, on February 27th, the first under the Thompson Boxing Promotions banner, Lopez knocked out Manuel Sarabia in the second round.
The 27 year old Lorenzana, now fighting out of Miami , Florida brings a record of 4-4-1 (2KO’s) into the scheduled six round battle..
Said Frank Espinoza, manager of Lopez, “Abraham has truly improved since turning pro a year ago, he’s much more aggressive and has done a great job of sitting down on his punches. This is his fourth six rounder and we’re looking to keep his busy in 2009 and hopefully work up to eight rounders later this year.”
“LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ is headlined by a junior welterweight showdown between Southern California natives; Josesito Lopez and Patrick Lopez.
The Doubletree Hotel – Ontario is located at 222 N. Vineyard Avenue . For tickets and more information call 714-935-0900. Doors will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 7:30pm..
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza.
Espinoza, born and bred in East Los Angeles, was a huge fan of the sport and eventually went on to establish himself as one of the top managers in the world of boxing.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
Espinoza’s management style has earned him numerous accolades from several respected print and internet boxing writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Along with managing Vazquez also manages a young squad of talented and promising fighters composed of Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez, Ronny Rios, Manny “Suavecito” Roman and Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez.
Among the world champions Espinoza has managed in the past are Martin “Gallito” Castillo, Enrique Sanchez, Isidro “ Chino ” Garcia and “Mighty” Mike Anchondo.
It is the goal of the Espinoza Boxing Club to always fight for our fighter’s best interests and to maximize their potential.
Carlos Rivera vs Former World Title Challenger Ali Baba Headlines “Fight Night” at the A La Carte May 8!
Tampa, FL – Fast rising Tampa based Featherweight prospect Carlos Rivera 15-3-2 (5 KO’s) will risk his seven fight unbeaten streak against rugged Ghanaian Alex “Ali” Baba 26-14-1 (19 KO’s) May 8 at the A la Carte Event Pavilion. Rivera is coming off a career best victory in February, as he defeated perennial contender Johnnie Edwards via unanimous decision. A former world title challenger, Baba is known for his impressive durability, having only been stopped twice during his solid career. The Rivera-Baba bout will serve as the main event and is scheduled for eight rounds.
Unbeaten prospect Ahsandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs 10-0 (4 KO’s) of St. Petersburg, FL will take a step up in competition as he will battle tough veteran Marcus Upshaw 9-3-1 (3 KO’s) of Jacksonville, FL over eight rounds for the vacant Florida State Middleweight crown. Gibbs, who scored a highlight reel KO over Mark Sanders in his last fight, will have to be at his best to defeat Upshaw.
An often overlooked fighter, Upshaw’s losses have come against solid opposition. Upshaw also battled renowned prospect Buddy McGirt Jr. to a draw last November in a fight many thought he deserved the nod in.
Tampa’s Jenna Shiver 8-4-1 (2 KO’s) will look to keep the momentum going after earning a highly entertaining victory against Christina Leadbeater in March. Shiver will battle the ever famous TBA in a four or six round Featherweight contest.
Jose “Hands of Steel” Duran 6-3-2 (3 KO’s) of Sarasota, FL will battle Ocean Springs, MS’ Laquel Fleming 1-2-2 in a four rounder at a catch weight of 144 lbs.
More local talent is expected to be added to the card shortly.
Tickets can be ordered by going to Ticketmaster.com. The A La Carte Event Pavilion is located at 4050 Dana Shores Drive in Tampa, Florida. The card is being promoted by Starfight Productions.
Starfight Productions is based out of Tampa, Florida and is operated by Aaron Jacobs, Shea Bailey, Pete Fernandez, Mike Asmer, and Randy Feldman.