Last night (January 8), WBA light-heavyweight titlist Beibut Shemenov scored an easy, sixth-round KO over a well shopworn William Joppy.
The 40-year-old Joppy, winless in the last four bouts going back to 2007, was a last-minute replacement for WBO champ Juergen Braehmer, who withdrew at the last-minute due to a flu-like illness.
Shumenov connected with the harder blows throughout, and was consistently able to beat Joppy to the punch. In the sixth, two sharp straight rights caused Joppy to wince and take a knee. While still cognizant of his surroundings, Joppy realized he had no chance and took the full count.
Shumenov said that after having a camp for a southpaw opponent in Braehmer, it took a few rounds to adjust to Joppy’s orthodox stance. Furthermore, he hopes to eventually unify the titles with the other champions in his weight class.
“I like to hear and still [champion after my matches], but I’m planning to be [the] undisputed [light-heavyweight champion],” Shumenov said. ” Today [against Joppy], it was a little bit uncomfortable. It took a long time to find the skill against Joppy, because we’ve been preparing four months for someone left-handed.”
The bout was held in Kazakhstan. The final rounds and post-fight interview can be viewed below.
SHUMENOV VS. JOPPY (RDS. 4-6)
SHUMENOV POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 