Ringsidereport.com, VA
April 8 2006
Boxing: Super Welterweight Prospect Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan
stops by RSR
By Geno McGahee – April 7, 2006
With many superstars reaching the end of their career road, such as
Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, and Fernando Vargas, a new boxer on
the scene hopes to fill the gap. Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan
was born in Abovyan, Armenia, but now resides in Glendale, California
and sports a record of, 7-0, 4 KO’s. As an amateur, he compiled a
record of, 120 wins, 10 losses, and went on to represent the United
States in the 2004 Olympics. He made it all the way to the
quarterfinals, before losing to Cuba’s Lorenzo Aragon, who would go
on to capture the Silver Medal. Martirosyan is managed by Shelly
Finkel, and is promoted by Top Rank. His trainer is the legendary
Freddie Roach, who was honored by the Boxing Writer’s Association of
America as the `2003 Trainer of the Year.’ He has worked with James
Toney, Mike Tyson, and Manny Pacquiao. He has a proven track record
of working with championship level boxers and will certainly be an
asset to the camp of this young fighter. At this point in his career,
`The Nightmare’ has a lot going for him and he has a very powerful
team to increase his chances of success.
On April 8th, on the under card of `Sworn Enemies’ Judah Vs.
Mayweather, JR., Martirosyan continues his quest for a championship
as he faces the undefeated: Teefo Seetso. It’s a testament to the
confidence that the team has in their fighter as they consistently
match him with boxers that have winning records. I have seen many
other prospects put in constantly with boxers that either have losing
records or are making their professional debut and have never put on
a pair of gloves before. RSR was able to catch up with `The
Nightmare’ as he goes into his upcoming bout with Teefo Seetso and
talked about his aspirations and his career as a boxer.
GM: You have a very interesting nickname. Where did the `Nightmare’
nickname come from?
During my Olympic Trials in 2004 and the U.S. Championships, I was
just coming out of nowhere and beating highly ranked opponents like
Timothy Bradley and Rondel Mason. Opposing teams eventually started
saying I was something out of a bad dream, hence the name
`Nightmare.’ My fellow Armenian fans picked up on this fast and would
always scream out-loud: `Armenian Nightmare’ when I would enter the
ring.
GM: You are currently being trained by Freddie Roach. How is your
relationship working out and how has he improved your game?
I feel very blessed to have Freddie Roach in my corner. Freddie, to
me, is now more than just a trainer. He is a great friend and mentor
that is showing me the right path to success and possible world
championships. It gives me strength knowing I have one of the best
trainers in the world on my back. He always points out where I need
improvement after each fight and makes sure that we work in that
area.
GM: On April 8th, you are fighting on the under card of
Judah-Mayweather, JR. What can you tell us about your opponent, Tefo
Seetso, and how does it feel to box on the under card of a card that
features so many important bouts?
It is quite an honor for me to be on such a terrific card at my young
age of 19. I, myself, was a 2004 U.S. Olympian, and its nice to be on
the under card of a fellow former U.S. Olympian, the Bronze
Medallist, Floyd Mayweather, JR. As for my opponent, I have watched a
video of one of Tefo Seetso’s fights and must say he is an aggressive
boxer. It will definitely be an exciting fight. I have put countless
hours at the gym with Freddie and Justin Fortune, my physical
trainer. I am in great shape and ready for my April 8 bout.
GM: What got you into the sport of boxing?
My father, Norik Martirosyan got me into boxing at the young age of
seven. My elder and younger brother also got me into boxing, but I
guess they weren’t as passionate toward it as I turned out to be. My
father saw it in me the most and never let me quit. He has always
pushed me hard to get the best out of me and still does. I owe
everything to him for his encouragement and support.
GM: You had an outstanding amateur career. Can you tell us about
your time as an amateur and your memorable experiences?
The highlight of my amateur career was, of course, the 2004 Olympics
in Athens, Greece. It was an amazing feeling to represent the United
States of America and quite a confidence builder. Our U.S. Olympic
boxing team fought the best in the world and never shied down. After
winning my first round against the Algerian, Benamar Meskine, I was a
local hero in my hometown of Glendale, CA. Altogether, it was an
incredible experience and I will never forget it for the rest of my
life. Aside from the Athens Olympics, I also have extensive amateur
boxing experience here in the U.S. My record was something like
120-10, with more than 80 of my wins by stoppage. All this experience
definitely helped jumpstart a professional career that is looking
real good for me so far at, 7-0, 4 KO’s.
GM: Who are your boxing idols and why?
One of my boxing idols has to be Oscar De La Hoya. I am in the same
super welterweight division as him and have always enjoyed his boxing
style. Oscar, to me, is the ideal image of a boxer because he is a
great fighter in the ring, a real gentleman outside of it, and on top
of all that, he is quite a businessman, which is important in the
boxing industry.
GM: What is your opinion of the Super Welterweight division and what
boxers are your gearing toward as future opponents?
I think that the super welterweight division is one of the most
exciting divisions right now in boxing. I am very lucky to be coming
up at such a great time for my division with the likes of Mosley,
Vargas, De La Hoya, Trinidad, and Mayorga, to name a few. As far as
my future opponents are concerned, it all really depends on my
management team, headed by Shelly Finkel, along with my promoters:
Top Rank and Bob Arum. Once they give me the go on an opponent, and
my father and uncle Serge approve, it’s on! I trust my team very
much, and who ever they want me to fight, Freddie and Justin will
make sure I’m well prepared.
GM: Why are you a future World Champion?
I simply believe in my abilities and strengths as a professional
boxer. I possess the qualities of a champion because I work very hard
and my determination is there. Everyone at the WildCard Gym reminds
me everyday that I have what it takes to be a world champion. It is
up to me to prove them right and I won’t stop until I do so.
GM: Should we expect to see you on national television anytime in the
near future?
It is expected that sometime by the end of this year, I will have a
fight that will be televised nationwide. I’m not sure when and where,
but I guarantee an exciting fight when my T.V. debut arrives.
GM: What do you want the boxing world to know about yourself and do
you have any message for the fans?
I want them to know that the Armenian-American, Vanes Martirosyan is
here to stay and that I am on a mission to be a world champion in my
division one day. As for my fans, I hear every encouraging remark
shouted during my fights when I am in the ring. So thank you for
believing in me and having my back. My Armenian fans from Glendale
have been amazing and have traveled everywhere with me to watch my
fights. Thank you and God bless you. When I bring home the
championship belt, it will be for you.
Writers Note:
I encourage everyone to check out his website: ,
for all the information on this prospect and his upcoming bouts.
Vanes Martirosyan
(Junior Middleweight)
Professional record l: 7 fights; 7+ (4 KO’s)
– 2005 –
+ (Apr-8-2005, Fountain Hills) Jesse ORTA 4
+ (May-28-2005, Los Angeles) Giovanni RUBIO kot 1
+ (Aug-26-2005, Houston) Fernando VELA 4
+ (Sep-10-2005, Los Angeles) Gerardo Cesar PRIETO 6
+ (Oct-8-2005, Las Vegas) Antonio Tony MORALES kot 1
+ (Nov-12-2005, Las Vegas) Abdias CASTILLO kot 5
+ (Feb-18-2006, Las Vegas) Juan Pablo Montes de Oca kot3
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