Shumenov wins interim cruiserweight title

Published Jul. 26, 2015 12:52 a.m. ET

foxsports

LAS VEGAS (AP) Beibut Shumenov scored a unanimous but unpopular decision over B.J. Flores to win the WBA interim cruiserweight title on Saturday night.

The fight was the second at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit for Shumenov, who held the light heavyweight belt from 2010 to 2013 but moved up because of problems making weight.

All three judges scored the fight 116-112 for Shumenov, but the decision was roundly booed by the crowd at The Palms Casino Resort.

Although Flores, a part-time boxing analyst for NBC, was the busier fighter, Shumenov (16-2) threw effective combinations in spurts and avoided tough exchanges. Flores (31-2-1), from Chandler, Arizona, was an effective counterpuncher and staggered Shumenov seconds before the final bell.

At times, Flores seemed frustrated trying to catch Shumenov, who used his movement to keep distance between them.

In the co-feature, cruiserweight Isiah Thomas (15-0), of Detroit, remained unbeaten with a unanimous 10-round decision over Jordan Shimmell (19-1) of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.