MARTIROSYAN PUSHED TO LIMIT BY OUMA
By Dan Rafael

ESPN
Jan 18 2010

Saturday at Las Vegas
Junior middleweight
Vanes Martirosyan W10 Kassim Ouma
Scores: 97-93 (twice), 97-92

Records: Martirosyan, 27-0, 17 KOs; Ouma, 26-7-1, 18 KOs

Rafael’s remark: Martirosyan, one of Top Rank’s best prospects, has
been moved steadily since turning pro after representing the United
States in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Finally, after five years
as a pro, Martirosyan and his team, including manager Shelly Finkel and
trainer Freddie Roach, felt it was time for the 23-year-old to make a
move. If Martirosyan wanted to eventually compete for a championship
and take on the big names of the division such as Sergio Martinez or
Paul Williams, he would need a serious step-up fight to prove he’s
ready for such a bout. That’s where Ouma, 31, came in. The Uganda
native is a respected former titleholder who posed considerable risk
even though he entered the fight having lost four of his past five
bouts. But make no mistake, he would be a serious test. And he was.

Although Martirosyan got the decision — one that should have been
closer than the scorecards had it — you can make an argument that
Ouma, a left-hander, should have won or at least deserved a draw. He
gave Martirosyan everything he could handle and proved the Armenian
is not yet ready to face the big names. Martirosyan, who lives in
Glendale, Calif., did not fight particularly well. That was because he
had an off night or Ouma shut him down. Whatever it was, Martirosyan
sounded disappointed with his performance afterward and headed to
the hospital to have his swollen and cut left eye checked out.

Martirosyan fought on Dec. 19 and scored a dominant third-round
knockout of Willie Lee to set up this fight, which headlined the debut
card of Top Rank’s new Fox Sports Net series "Top Rank Live." It was
a very entertaining fight (and an entertaining card overall). If Top
Rank continues to put on shows such as this one, the series should
last a lot longer than the initial commitment of 36 cards this year.

Martirosyan looked uncomfortable from the outset as Ouma, who looked
in terrific condition and was working with trainer Livingstone
Bramble for the first time, put his punches together well and gave
Martirosyan angles that seemed to confuse him. In the fourth round,
an accidental head butt opened a cut over Martirosyan’s left eye. That
sure didn’t help Martirosyan’s confidence. But Martirosyan fought
back and boxed well on his toes. He was warned multiple times for
low blows by referee Kenny Bayless, who never took a point.

With the fight seemingly in the balance, Ouma nailed Martirosyan with
a short right hand and knocked him down in the ninth round.

Martirosyan immediately popped up and did not appear hurt by the
punch, but it seemed to give him a sense of urgency. He pressed Ouma
for the rest of the round and in the 10th round, which Martirosyan won
big. Although the decision was could have gone either way, Martirosyan
showed he has a big heart and can pick up his intensity when times get
tough. If Martirosyan ever gets into a position to fight for a title,
this bout should serve as an excellent learning experience for him
draw on.

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