Beibut Shumenov, a former two-division world champion forced to retire due to an eye injury, has decided to make a return seven months after calling it quits.
In a press conference in his native Kazakhstan, Shumenov said his decision to return to unretire came from getting a chance to heal any physical and mental wounds and fatigue. Shumenov claims he is all healed up and ready to continue fighting.
"I thought a very long time before making this decision," Shumenov said. "Having weighed all the pros and cons, in addition to consulting with my family and team, I have firmly decided to return to professional boxing. Ahead is a lot of work but our goal is obvious. I want to express my thanks to all those who've supported me. The trauma of my eye affected my decision. Fatigue and emotional tension accumulated. I just needed a break. Now, I have recovered, and I am going to resume my boxing career. Negotiations are now underway for my next fight."
Last June, Shumenov said an eye injury sustained the week before his scheduled fight against Yunier Dorticos back in April was too great to continue fighting. The fight against Dorticos was to declare the WBA "regular" cruiserweight champion as Shumenov was the "regular" champion and Dorticos was the interim champion.
As a result of the fight being canceled and Shumenov retiring, Dorticos was elevated to "regular" champion and Shumenov had to vacate his title. Dorticos would then compete in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament, where he is currently in the semifinals against IBF champion Murat Gassiev.
Shumenov won the WBA cruiserweight title in 2016, but never defended the title. Shumenov was also a former unified light heavyweight champion from 2010-2014 until he lost his titles to Bernard Hopkins. Shumenov has been boxing professionally since November 2007, sporting a 17-2 record with 11 KO.
