Payback win earns title for Shumenov

Campillo, the WBA light heavyweight champion, had won a majority decision the first time the two fought in August. On Friday, it was every bit as close and every bit as controversial in the rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel.

In just his 10th professional fight, Shumenov wrested the belt from Campillo, earning a 12-round split decision that left the former champion and his camp crying foul.

Las Vegas judges Jerry Roth and Patricia Morse-Jarman had Shumenov ahead 115-113 and 117-111, respectively, while Levi Martinez of New Mexico had it for Campillo, 117-111.

“I’m not surprised by the decision,” Shumenov said. “I thought I won the fight.”

Campillo (19-3) and his corner were irate over the decision.

“I got robbed,” Campillo said. “I want an investigation of the (Nevada) judges.”

Shumenov (9-1) gave credit for the win to his new trainer, Kevin Barry.

“The difference between this fight and the last one was I have the best trainer in boxing,” Shumenov said.

This was a tough, nasty fight, with both fighters delivering hard shots. Shumenov at times looked like someone trying to cut down a tree with an ax. He rained right hands down on Campillo.

The Spaniard countered beautifully, using his reach advantage to consistently land an effective jab.

Despite sustaining a cut in the corner of his left eye in the fifth round, Campillo never backed down. He continued to throw the jab effectively and bloodied Shumenov’s nose in the ninth round.

Shumenov was constantly on the attack. But Campillo showed he could take the best Shumenov could dish out.

However, the judges didn’t see it the same way in Campillo’s first fight in the United States.

In the co-main event, Erislandy Lara remained unbeaten as the Cuban junior middleweight scored a 10th-round technical knockout over Grady Brewer.

Lara (10-0) constantly beat Brewer (26-12) to the punch and was leading 90-81, 90-81, 88-83 on the judges’ scorecards before referee Tony Weeks stopped it with 16 seconds remaining.

An accidental head-butt in the sixth round left Brewer with a cut over his left eye.

Lara sent Brewer to the canvas with a left uppercut with 45 seconds to go in the 10th. He got up, but Weeks stepped in seconds later as Lara was all over Brewer.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.