Las Vegas Review – Journal, NV
June 22 2008
Armenian to resume title quest
Martirosyan set to face Hernandez at Orleans
By STEVE CARP
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Nothing seems to stop Vanes Martirosyan these days as he looks to
climb his way to a world championship.
Not any of his 19 opponents to date. Not a change of trainers from
Freddie Roach to Ronnie Shields. Not moving from his hometown in
Glendale, Calif., to Houston. Not even a four-month hiatus from
fighting because of a back injury.
But the 6-foot, 154-pound Martirosyan, who represented the United
States at the 2004 Olympics, said he’s ready to take the next big step
in his quest to become world champion when he faces Angel Hernandez in
a 10-round super welterweight bout Thursday as part of a Top Rank card
at the Orleans Arena.
"I’m anxious to get back in the ring after taking the last couple of
months off. My back feels fine," said Martirosyan, 21, who was born in
Armenia and moved to the United States when he was 4.
If you plan to watch Martirosyan (19-0, 13 knockouts) fight Thursday,
don’t leave your seat. In the 19 fights in which he has competed, only
one has gone beyond six rounds. His fights have averaged 3.6 rounds.
When he fights Hernandez, it will be the second time Martirosyan has
been scheduled to compete in a 10-round bout. In his other scheduled
10-rounder, he stopped veteran Michi Munoz in the third round on
Feb. 7 at the Hard Rock.
"He has all the tools and personality to be a star," Top Rank
president Bob Arum said. "He has a strong following among the
Armenians, and he’s the kind of fighter who can attract new fans."
Martirosyan left Roach this year because Roach has to devote so much
of his time to Manny Pacquiao, who will fight David Diaz on Saturday
for the WBC lightweight title. Shields, another veteran trainer,
agreed to take on Martirosyan, but it meant Martirosyan had to leave
California to train with Shields in Texas.
"The change has been very positive for me," Martirosyan said. "It
helps me stay focused because I left all my friends in California.
"… When I was with Freddie, I’d move a lot inside the ring. With
Ronnie, I’m more economical in what I do. I jab a lot more. I use both
my hands. And I don’t think about the end. I think about the moment."
Said Arum: "Ronnie has more time to spend with Vanes. He’s making
tremendous progress with Ronnie, and Vanes has a really bright
future. He will be a world champion."
NEW PROMOTION — World Xtreme Boxing Challenge, the latest
attempt to promote tournament-style boxing, will make its debut
Aug. 29 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The WXBC will use professional fighters with at least 10 bouts of
experience, and the once-monthly cards will feature eight fighters in
six elimination bouts in weight classes ranging from junior
lightweight to heavyweight. Scoring will be open, and fighters will be
paid by the number of rounds they win.
WXBC, a venture of Don House, claims it will pay out $2 million over
the entire card. A spokesperson said plans are in the works to bring
the WXBC to Las Vegas.
¢ LOUIS DOCUMENTARY RE-AIRS — Today marks the 70th anniversary of
the rematch between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium,
which might have been the most politically and socially powerful fight
in boxing history. Louis avenged his 1936 loss to Schmeling with a
first-round knockout June 22, 1938.
In conjunction with the anniversary, HBO Sports will present an encore
airing of its documentary, "Joe Louis: America’s Hero … Betrayed" on
Tuesday. The program first aired in February.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or
702-387-2913.
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