Ringnews24.com: Ringnews24 last spoke to you in June 2011, how was your Christmas and New Year?
Beibut Shumenov: I spent the holidays in Las Vegas with my team.
Ringnews24.com: You said that your goal to unify the Light Heavyweight Division, has anything changed or is that still your aim in 2012?
Beibut Shumenov: To unify the world light heavyweight has been my goal since I first won the WBA title. It’s my dream and I will keep trying to pursue it.
Ringnews24.com: Team Cleverly have said they wish to fight you but your recent press release said that no offer was made can you clarify things? Is it true that team Shumenov offered Cleverly a fight in Las Vegas and Warren Promotions never got back about the potential match up?
Beibut Shumenov: What my advisor – Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin – said in the press release is the truth of the matter. I never turned down any fight against Cleverly. We offered them a fight in Las Vegas and they never responded.
Ringnews24.com: Were you upset/disappointed when Warren Promotions said that you turned down a fight that was never offered?
Beibut Shumenov: What his promoter may say doesn’t affect me because I don’t pay attention to that stuff at all. I respect Cleverly as another World Champion. We tried to make a fight but they didn’t want it for whatever their reasons were. I can’t control what others say or do. I just do my job and surround myself with good people.
Ringnews24.com: Do you feel 2 months was enough time for you to prepare for a fight with Cleverly ? Team Cleverly didn’t feel as if you would be ready for the fight.
Beibut Shumenov: Like I said, what Don Chargin said in his press release is the truth of what happened. As far as me being prepared, when I step in between those ropes, I always come prepared.
Ringnews24.com: Team Cleverly announced a fight with your sparring partner Tommy Karpency how do you see the fight going and were you disappointed when it was announced?
Beibut Shumenov: I’m happy that Tommy is getting a world title shot. He is a good guy and I consider Tommy my friend. I wish him the best but I never predict outcomes of fights.
Ringnews24.com: Promoter Frank Warren has planned a big year for Welsh star Nathan Cleverly that could include a title defence at Cardiff City’s ground in the summer (Capacity 27,000 plus), would a fight interest you with Cleverly in Cardiff?
Beibut Shumenov: We are both World champions who would prefer to fight in our home country. I’m from Kazakhstan, he’s from Wales and the United Kingdom. That’s why we offered him a fight in Las Vegas, the capital of boxing where every world champion dreams of fighting.
Ringnews24.com: Do you think that Cleverly would fight yourself in Kazakhstan? If not, do you feel its unfair to be asked to fight Cleverly in Wales or in the UK? is USA the only destination you would consider or would another country be suitable?
Beibut Shumenov: I can’t answer for Cleverly. The US is the ideal place for a fight between two world champions from Kazakhstan and the UK. Cleverly said he would fight in Las Vegas but his promoter never responded to our offer.
Ringnews24.com: Cleverly hasn’t fought outside of UK yet, where as you have fought in your home country Kazakhstan and current residence USA, do you feel Nathans a protected fighter?
Beibut Shumenov: It’s not for me to judge him.
Ringnews24.com: Back here in UK, Nathan Cleverly is the only World Champion left after a poor 2011 for UK fighters. Theres talks of big fights in 2012 for Cleverly, have you saw much of Nathan on video and what do you think of him as a fighter?
Beibut Shumenov: I respect him as a world champion and I hope someday that we can fight. I will know a lot more about him if that day ever comes.
Ringnews24.com: Nathan Cleverly is 23-0 what do you believe that you have in your locker to beat Nathan that his 23 opponents have failed with?
Beibut Shumenov: I’m the WBA World Champion but no one can guarantee the outcome of any fight. I cannot say that I’m going to be victorious but I’m willing to face the best fighters in the world. If the fight against Cleverly happens, we will see who wins.
Reference: Press Release – Warren never offered Shumenov Feb. 25 Unification fight vs. Cleverly
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