SUPER WELTERWEIGHT MARTIROSYAN OUTPOINTS OUMA

Associated Press Worldstream
January 17, 2010 Sunday 7:21 AM GMT

Undefeated super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan earned a
unanimous decision over former world champion Kassim Ouma of Uganda
on Saturday.

Armenian-born Martirosyan, a former Olympian, used his speed and
length to neutralize Ouma’s aggression. The three judges scored the
fight 97-93, 97-93, 97-92.

Trained by Freddie Roach, Martirosyan upped his record to 27-0 with
17 KO’s and moved a step closer to a world title shot with a win over
a quality opponent.

"It was a tough fight and he was an awkward opponent," Martirosyan
said. "We work on everything to prepare for the fights, Freddie Roach
is the best."

Martirosyan last fought less than a month ago, stopping former champion
Willie Lee with a third-round TKO. Martirosyan seemed fresh and
neither fighter seemed to tire in what was an entertaining slugfest.

"Ouma is a veteran fighter and it was a great lesson for Vanes,"
Roach said.

In the co-main event, super featherweight prospect Diego Magdaleno
upped his record to 13-0 with a unanimous decision over Gerardo
Robles. The former U.S. amateur champion had his hands full with
Robles but managed to pull out the win with the judges scoring the
bout 80-72, 78-74, 78-74.

On the undercard, Ismayl Sillakh remained unbeaten, running his record
to 10-0 after knocking out Julius Jackson in the first round, and Jose
Benavidez won his pro debut with a first round TKO over Steven Cox.