womenboxing.com
June 10, 2005
One on One Interview with Susianna Kentikian
By Torben L.
Susianna Kentikian was born on 11th September 1987 in Jerewan, Armenia. Her
life story sounds like a movie script, despite her young age of only 17. She
came with her family to Hamburg, Germany in 1996, fleeing the civil war in
Armenia. They stayed the first years in Hamburg at asylum seeker’s homes,
under the constant threat of expulsion. More than once the family was
dragged out of bed by the Police in the middle of the night and transported
to the airport for deportation. Fortunately expulsion was avoided in the
last minute through the intervention, among others, her boxing trainer Frank
Rieth.
Her first encounter with boxing took place 5 years ago, when she
accompanied her brother Mikael to a boxing club. Not content with the role
as a spectator, she learned to box herself and has remained in the tough
game ever since. She won the Hamburg Championships for juniors from 2001 to
2004, as well as the several North German Championships.
Website:
Her biggest achievement as an amateur was a gold medal at the International
German Women’s Amateur Championships in Maisach 2004 in the featherweight
division for juniors. This was done in convincing style by beating Tasheena
Bugar 27-19 in the semi final. Kentikian then went on to a 27-5 win in the
final against Alessandra Sieber. Further honour was bestowed on her at the
championships, as she won the award for the best technical boxer in the
junior division.
Kentikian found it increasingly difficult to find opponents in the amateur
ranks, as very few wanted to face her in the ring. Her status as asylum
seeker also added to the problems, as she was not allowed to box outside
Hamburg. So when Spotlight-Boxing offered her a 3 year contract in the
beginning of 2005, she jumped at the chance to help herself and not least
her family. Susianna’s mother is in constant need of care and her father
suffers from temporary bouts of depression. So the steady income Susianna
now earns as a pro boxer, is a very welcome help to the family. This has
also solved the family’s problems with regard to their asylum seekers’
status, at least for the time being. They have received a temporary
residence permit, because the family is now self supporting through
Susianna’s income and her father’s involvement in the team. It also means
that, Susianna has been able to stop working as a cleaner in her spare time,
and concentrate on her boxing career and her school work.
She made her debut as a pro on 15th January 2005 in Magdeburg against Iliana
Boneva, whom she beat on points over 4 rounds.
Her next fight was in her home town of Hamburg on 26th February 2005, where
she made it a short evening for herself and her opponent, Debbie Paterok
(formerly Lohmeier). Paterok was KO’ed with a hard punch to the head 1 min
22 seconds into the first round.
Kentian’s 3rd fight was also in Hamburg and took place on 29th March, 2005.
This was even shorter than the previous fight. Lucie Hornakova had enough
after 37 seconds of the first round, and gave up.
Her 4th fight took place in Magdeburg on 7th May against Juliia Vlasenko of
the Ukraine. Kentikian took command right from the start of and kept up
pressure throughout, especially with her right hand. Vlasenko turned her
back on Kentikan after a combination in the 3rd round, and the referee
stopped the fight.
Susianna Kentikian is due to fight again on 4th June 2005. The opponent is
yet to be revealed.
Statistics:
Date of Birth 11th September, 1987
Place of Birth: Jerewan, Armenia
Weight Class: Flyweight/Junior Flyweight
Height: 1.55 m (5′ 1″)
Amateur Record: 24-1-0
Pro Record: 4-0-0 (3 KO’s) as of 23 of May 2005
Promoter: Spotlight-Boxing
Trainers: Magomed Schaburow / Frank Rieth
Website: