Photos: Beibut Shumenov, Hizni Altunkaya - Go Face To Face

By Ludo Saenz, notifight.com

The World Boxing Association (WBA) two-division world champion, Beibut Shumenov, will be measured against Turkish contender Hizni Altunkaya (30-1, 17 KOs) for the WBA's vacant "regular" cruiserweight title. The contest headlines an event this Saturday, in the city of Astana, Kazakhstan.

Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs), an Olympian from Kazakhstan in 2004, retired last June due to an eye injury that required surgery, forcing him to give up his WBA world cruiserweight title. But, now healthy, he returns with more strength than ever, in search of his third world title.

Both stars, Shumenov and Altunkaya, participated this Thursday, in a press conference at the popular "Mall" of Astana, before the national and international press and the general public.

"I think Altunkaya is a tough opponent. But, I'm ready for everything I bring. I have had a great camp, two months, here in Kazakhstan with Ismael Salas," said Shumenov.

"I feel very good, because the last time I was here was in 2013. I am happy to be able to fight here in my country, on the anniversary of the capital of my country and on the birthday of our president, Nursultan Nazarbayev."

Shumenov, was accompanied by his coach, Ismael Salas.

Shumenov vs. Altunkaya is a presentation of Shumenov's company, KZ Event Productions, Inc. and will be broadcast on YouTube, on the Boxcaster Boxing Channel, from 6:00 AM ET (3:00 am PT).

Altunkaya (30-1, 17 KOs), 30, fighting from Germany for his native Turkey, stopped Mathias Reinhardt in 2010 in Germany and won, by unanimous decision in 12 rounds, over previously unbeaten Salvatore Aiello (29-0) ). The only loss of his professional career was last year against the former world champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Krzysztof Glowacki (26-1).