WBA orders purse bid for Beibut Shumenov to defend the regular title against Arsen Goulamirian
It seems WBA regualr cruiserweight champion Beibut Shumenov (18-2, 12KO) and WBA Gold champion Arsen Goulamirian (24-0, 16KO) could not come to agreement for a potential bout. The WBA had ordered the two to fight previously to determine a mandatory for the organization.
Shumenov (35), retired from boxing in 2017 due to an eye injury prior to his fight with then-undefeated Cuban fighter Yunier Dorticos. In 2018, the Kazakh fighter announced he would be returning to boxing since the time off allowed him to fully heal.
In the summer of 2018, he would compete for the vacant regular title and defeat Hizni Altunkaya (31-3, 18KO); making him a two-time cruiserweight champion.
Arsen Goulamirian, a 31 year-old Armenian fighter, is trained by the world renowned Abel Sanchez. The hard-hitting fighter won the interim WBA title last year – knocking out then-undefeated Ryad Merhy.
He would later continue the knockout streak, defending the interim belt against veteran Mark Flanagan. This secured his position for a title bid. Although the WBA has changed Goulamirian’s status to the Gold champion on their website, he still remains the mandatory challenger.
INTERESTING FACTS
Shumenov is also the former WBA Super light heavyweight champion. In addition, he hasn’t lost a fight since losing to Bernard Hopkins in 2014.
Goulamirian has also held the WBA Continental title and frequently spars former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev.
Shumenov will be making the first defense of the title, while Goulamirian is challenging for his first world championship. The purse bid will take place in the Panama City offices on February 4. A minimum bid of $200,000 is required, with the split being 55/45 Shumenov.
3kingsboxing will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they develop.
By: Garrisson Bland
