Vanes Martirosyan 153 – Erislandy Lara 153.5
Mikey Garcia 128.5 – Jonathan Barros 128.5
Jesse Hart 167.5 – Joshua Meyers 165

LOS ANGELES, November 1 – After two years of talking, the wait is almost over and Vanes Martirosyan, will finally fight Cuban star Erislandy Lara. Lara, who is recognized as one of the best fighters in the world, and Martirosyan, an unbeaten 2004 United States Olympian, will put everything on the line in a 12 round WBC Super Welterweight World title elimination fight that will headline the Saturday, November 10 edition of HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. from the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

“The fight is almost here and the fans are in for a great night of action,” said the number one rated WBC super welterweight contender who has wanted to corner the trash-talking Martirosyan in the ring since 2010. “My goal is to punish Vanes in this fight because he’s been talking so much trash. This fight has been a long time in coming and I’m going to make him pay for his disrespect.”

“I’m extremely focused and mentally prepared to give fans a great performance on November 10th,” continued Lara. “I’ve worked hard my entire life to get into position to fight for a world championship and Martirosyan stands in my way. Like all Cuban fighters, we bring a lot of heart and soul into the ring and this fight will be no different. I’m coming to establish myself as the best super welterweight in the world.”

“This fight is dedicated to all those who are suffering and have lost their lives to Hurricane Sandy including the 11 Cubans who were killed by the storm,” continued Lara. “My prayers go out to all of their families. God Bless!”

“I’m excited to see Lara show his skills on November 10th against Martirosyan,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “This fight has been a long time coming and we’re excited it is finally happening. I have full confidence that Lara will come out victorious and make a statement that he is a force in the 154 pound weight class.”

“Lara and Martirosyan are two of the top fighters at 154 pounds,” said Lara’s manager Luis DeCubas Jr. “I can guarantee they will put on a great show for everyone watching on HBO. Lara is ready to show the world he’s the best fighter in the division. The winner of this fight will be in a great position and that will be Erislandy Lara!”

A decorated member of the renowned Cuban amateur boxing program, 29-year-old Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KO’s) is one of the most respected-and avoided-fighters in the world today. In 2011, Lara was on the short end of one of boxing’s most controversial decisions in a July 2011 loss against Paul Williams after which all three judges were suspended indefinitely. Undeterred, the slick and powerful southpaw rebounded in 2012 with a 94 second technical knockout win over Ronald Hearns and a 10-round decision victory over Freddy Hernandez. Now he looks forward to his upcoming November 10 title elimination bout against number two rated WBC super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KO’s), a 26-year-old Californian who is coming off of a third round technical knockout win over Troy Lowry in February.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (October 15, 2012) – Thanksgiving arrives early when knockout artists top-rated super welterweight contenders VANES “The Nightmare” MARTIROSYAN and ERISLANDY “El Oro del Guantanamo” LARA and undefeated No. 1 featherweight contender MIGUEL “Mikey” GARCIA and former World Featherweight Champion JONATHAN “Yoni” BARROS, look to knock the stuffing out of each other on an explosive card that will take place Saturday, November 10, in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. Both fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.) Martirosyan and Lara will battle in a 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title elimination bout with the winner being declared the division’s mandatory challenger. Garcia and Rojas will open the HBO telecast in 10-round featherweight rumble. The undercard will feature undefeated contenders, Las Vegas native JESSIE MAGDALENO, and Philadelphia fireball JESSE HART, son of the great middleweight contender Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, in separate super bantamweight and super middleweight bouts, respectively.

These six warriors boast a combined record of 126-4-2 (84 KOs), — a winning percentage of 95% with victory by knockout ratio of 67%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate and Wynn Las Vegas, tickets to this all-action event go on sale Tomorrow! Tuesday, October 16 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are priced at $125, $75 and $40, plus a $3 service fee, and are inclusive of applicable taxes. Tickets can be purchased by calling (702) 770-7118, through the website wynnlasvegas.com or by visiting the Wynn Ticket Office (Friday-Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT / Wednesday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PT) or the Wynn Concierge (Daily: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. PT.)

“This card will be a treat for fight fans who will be able to watch great fight action in the elegant environment of the Wynn Resort,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), a native of Armenia who fights out of Glendale, Calif., is one of the super welterweight division’s most promising contenders. A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Martirosyan’s amateur resume boasts victories over future world champions Timothy Bradley, Jr., Austin Trout and Andre Berto. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, Martirosyan captured his first title in 2009, knocking out defending NABA/NABO champion Willie Lee. He successfully defended the title in his next fight, in 2010, a 10-round unanimous decision victory over former IBF junior middleweight champion Kassim Ouma. He added the NABF title to his trophy case with another 10-round unanimous decision later that same year, at Yankee Stadium, this time over previously undefeated Joe Greene, serving up the Bronx bomber his first loss in 33 professional fights. Martirosyan captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver super welterweight title in 2011, via a seventh-round TKO of Saul Roman. Currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBC, Martirosyan returns to the ring fresh from knocking out Troy Lowery, his sixth knockout victim in his last nine fights.

Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs), a former international standout and a native of Cuba, is now fighting out of Houston under the tutelage of world-renowned trainer Ronnie Shields. A five-year veteran of the powerhouse Cuban national amateur team which included, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Odlanier Solis, Lara was a gold medalist in the 2005 World Championships, the 2006 Central American Games and the 2007 Pan American Games Qualifier. After turning professional in 2008, Lara was fighting in 10-rounders in only his ninth bout. The only blemish on his professional ledger, a disputed 12-round majority decision loss, in Atlantic City, to former world champion Paul Williams in 2011, was considered so heinous that New Jersey officials suspended all three judges for their scorecards, an unprecedented move. Since the Williams fight, Lara has scored a first-round knockout of Ronald Hearns and a 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Freddy Hernandez, both this year, en route to becoming the WBC’;s No. 1-rated super welterweight contender.

Garcia (29-0, 25 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., returns to a Las Vegas ring for the first time in four years, having won 13 of his past 14 bouts by knockout. Considered to be one of boxing’s top young prospects, Garcia, 24, had a career-best year in 2011, knocking out previously undefeated contender Matt Remillard in the 10th round in March to capture his NABF and NABO title belts. He followed that with four-round knockout title defense victories of Rafael Guzman and Juan Carlos Martinez in June and October, respectively. Guzman and Martinez had a combined record of 47-14-1 when they fought Garcia. This year he continued his winning ways, knocking out one-time world title challenger Bernabe Concepcion and former world champion Mauricio Pastrana, in the seventh and second rounds, respectively. Trained by his father Eduardo Garcia and co-managed by his brother Robert Garcia, the former IBF junior lightweight champion, Garcia is currently the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) No. 1-rated featherweight contender.

Barros (34-3-1, 17 KOs), Mendoza, Argentina, brings his own brand of excitement into the ring. He captured the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title in 2010, knocking out Irving Berry in the seventh round. Barros successfully defended the title two times, via 12-round decisions over Miguel Roman and Celestino Caballero, before losing the title in a rematch to Caballero the following year. Barros returns to the ring after unsuccessfully challenging Juan Salgado for the International (IBF) junior lightweight title in August.

Magdaleno (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, NV., was an accomplished amateur fighter, having won gold medals at the 2009 U.S. National Championships and the 2009 National Golden Gloves Championships en route to a 120-16 record. He enters this fight having won his last three fights by knockout.

Hart (3-0, 3 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, is the son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a highly-rated middleweight contender in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s who in 2003 was named to the The Ring’s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Hart, 22, compiled an amateur record of 85-11, highlighted by a stellar 2011 which included winning the National Golden Gloves at 165 lbs., the USA National Tournament at 178 lbs and going undefeated at the double elimination USA Olympic Trials box-offs.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing.

October 9, 2012 – Golden Boy Promotions super-welterweight contender, Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) ranked No. 1 in the WBC, and his team are preparing for war as they get ready for their upcoming title elimination bout against WBC No. 2 rated, Vanes Martirosyan (30-0, 20 KOs).

Team Lara is training in Houston, Texas, where his trainer Ronnie Shields is putting together a superb game plan to face the undefeated Top Rank fighter.

“Lara is looking sharp right now and he’s going to make a statement when he steps in the ring with Vanes,” said Shields, who has trained Martirosyan in the past and knows him very well. “Although I think Vanes is a good fighter, Lara is on another level. We are working hard and it will show on fight night”

After defeating Freddy Hernandez (30-3, 20 KOs) and Ronald Hearns (26-3, 20 KOs) in his last two fights, Lara feels his relationship with Shields is growing stronger every day.

“I have a ton of respect for my team because they give me all the right advice to be successful,” stated Lara. “The trust we have for one another makes for a great partnership. They know how bad I wanted this fight. Martirosyan doesn’t know what he’s got himself into and I will punish him on fight night.”

“My strength and conditioning coach, Edward “Jack” Jackson, has got me in tip top shape and Ronnie Shields with assistant coach Hylon Williams Sr. are doing their part as well to make sure I’m 100% ready for this fight. I’m happy with my team and together we are unstoppable.”

Erislandy and Vanes are fighting each other on a Top Rank card who won the purse bid to promote the fight, which takes place at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 10, 2012. This will be the first time in two years that these two heated rivals will have their fighters facing off against one another. The fight will be televised by HBO.

“Lara is in top physical and mental form for this fight. He is the best Jr. Middleweight in the world and he’ll keep proving it fight by fight,” said manager Luis DeCubas Jr. “We will make a statement on HBO November 10th!”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a solid doubleheader has been consummated for November 10th on HBO that will originate from Las Vegas as WBC Super Welterweight eliminator between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan as well as WBO Featherweight champion Orlando Salido defending against Mikey Garcia.

“Showtime informed our attorney that they are passing on the match,” said Top Ranlk’s Carl Moretti, adding that the card will take place in a 3,500-seat ballroom at the Wynn.

“This is a fight that matches Garcia’s youth against Salido’s experience,” Moretti said. “It’s boxer-puncher (Garcia) versus brawler (Salido). Clearly, whoever wins the fight establishes himself as probably the best featherweight in the world.”

Top Rank, which promotes 2004 U.S. Olympian Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), won the right to the fight by winning a purse bid in July. Top Rank’s offer of $405,000 topped the $326,000 bid made by rival Golden Boy, which has Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs), a former world amateur champion who defected from Cuba, under contract.

“It’s a very interesting fight,” Moretti said. “Both guys are quality contenders and both guys had stellar amateur backgrounds. There is a lot on the line for both of these guys. The winner of this fight will have truly earned the title fight. Vanes is really pumped for it.”

Said Martirosyan, “I’m bringing a big wagon so after I beat Lara people can jump on the Team Vanes Wagon. I can’t wait.”

“This is a great opportunity for Mikey even though Salido is not the guy we originally wanted,” manager Cameron Dunkin said. “This is the toughest featherweight in the world. It’s a very, very tough fight for Mikey. Believe me, there are other guys we would have rather fought but we needed somebody who would show up. Mikey wanted to fight for a title and with the other fight (against Caballero) falling apart, we all talked about it — me, Mike, his father (Eduardo) and (trainer and brother) Robert — and we decided we needed to go and make this fight.

“We wanted to fight Caballero but it didn’t materialize for different reasons. So here we are. We know Salido is a warrior. We know it’s a really hard fight, but Mikey is ready. This is what he’s wanted. Salido was willing to give Mikey the opportunity and he can’t wait.”

A fight that will potentially pit top Super Welterweight contenders Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan has been ordered by the WBC according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

If the two camps cant agree to a deal by July 27th a purse bid will be ordered.

The winner of the proposed fight will be the mandatory challenger for champion Saul Alvarez

In a series of entries on his Twitter account, Martirosyan wrote this on Thursday: “Now [it’s] time to focus on Saturday night, then we focus on this Lara fight. … Guys, there is no ifs. I said yes to the Lara fight. Already 100 percent. I’m [on] board. I just wanna focus on Saturday night, then we get back to Lara.”

Martirosyan is scheduled to face Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KOs) in what should be a walkover on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., in the untelevised portion of the Nonito Donaire-Jeffrey Mathebula junior featherweight unification bout that headlines an HBO card.

“I’m waiting to see Vanes on Friday so we can talk about it and see what he wants to do,” saids Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “It came as a surprise to us.”

“We’ll see what’s the best thing to do for Lara’s career, but he is willing to fight anybody,” said Lara’s manager Luis DeCubas Jr.. “We have to see what Al (Haymon) advises. We brought him in as an adviser [last week] and now we’ll see where we go.”

Number-one ranked Super Welterweight Vanes Martirosyan scored a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Richard Gutierrez at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Martiosyan boxed well as he used a good jab and mixed off a good arsenal of punches that never let Gutierrez into the fight.

Martirosyan, 158 1/2 lbs of Glendale, CA won by scores of 100-90;100-90 and 99-91 and is now 31-0. Gutierrez, 153 1/2 lbs of Miami, FL is now 26-8-1-1.

Casey Ramos survived a second round knockdown to score an eight round unanimous decision over Joselito Collado in a Super Featherweight bout of undefeated fighters.

Ramos was dropped with a left hook in round two and was cut around the eye. He came back to land the the better punches over the next several rounds as the two stood toe to toe in the entertaining battle.

Ramos, 130 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 78-74; 78-73 and 77-74 and is now 15-0. Collado, 128 3/4 lbs of Queens, NY is now 12-1.

Luis Zarazua needed just twenty-eight seconds to dispose of Jorge Flores in Zarazua’s pro debut.

The bout was a scheduled four round Featherweight bout. Zarazua caught Flores with a straight right and followed with a perfect left hook that sent Flores down. Flores got to his feet but was wobbly and the fight was waved off.

Zarazua, 125 1/2 lbs id 1-0 with one knockout. Flores, 125 lbs is 0-3

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Vanes Martirosyan talks about his unanimous decision over Joe Greene in Yankee Stadium

Watch Vanes Martitrosyan post fight press conference in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Yuri Foreman 154 – Miguel Cotto 153.5
Joe Greene 151.5 – Vanes Martirosyan 153 1/4

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was at Yankee Stadium as WBA Super Welterweight champion Yuri Foreman and former two-division world champion Miguel Cotto met the media just three days before thir historic battle at Yankee Stadium. Also see photos featuring the televised co-feature between undefeated Jr. Middleweights Vanes Martirosyan and Joe Greene

Vanes Martirosyan survived a ninth round knockdown but built up enough of a points lead to win a ten round unanimous decision over former world champion Kassim Ouma at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The two put on a crowd pleasing fight which saw Ouma fight with spirit that he had not shown since his days as the IBF Jr. Middleweight champion over five years ago. Ouma was aggressive as he would be diving in while throw punches that left openings for Martirosyan to successfully counter effectively. Ouma landed some hard rights inside but Martirosyan landed the harder shots with his flurry of choice was a solid jab-right hand for which he used due to his decided height and reach advantage. In round four, Martirosyan buckled Ouma slightly with a solid right hand. Just seconds after that, the two fighters clashed heads which caused a cuts around the left eye of Martirosyam\n.

The fighters stood toe to toe on many occasions with an entertaining exchange at the end of round six. In round nine, Ouma landed a quick right hook during an exchange that sent Martirosyan to the canvas. Martirosyan jumped up quickly to show it was just a flash knockdown. In round ten both tried to close the show in dynamic fashion was Martirosyan getting the better of a hotly contested last thirty seconds of the fight.

Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA won by scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 97-92 to raise his record to 27-0. Ouma, 150 lbs of Palm Beach Gardens, FL via Uganda has now dropped five of six and is now 26-7-1.

Former twelve time national Golden Gloves champion, Jose Benavidez Jr. wasted no time showing off the talents that have made him one of Top Rank’s next big prospects as he dropped Steven Cox just seconds into their scheduled four round Super Lightweight bout which was the catalyst for a first round stoppage victory in his pro debut.

Benavidez, who is trained by Freddie Roach, landed a booming right that sent Cox to the seat of his pants. Cox got up and ate a few more barrages until referee Russell Mora stopped the bout at 1:21 of round one.

Benavidez, 138 1/2 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 1-0 with one knockouts. Cox, 139 lbs of Independence, MO is 1-1.

In an entertaining Jr. Lightweight affair, Diego Magdaleno remained undefeated with an eight round unanimous decision over Gerado Robles.

Magdaleno was quicker and landed the harder shots with the exception of round three where Robles landed some hard rights throught Magdaleno’s southpaw stance. Magdaleno rocked Robles with a pair of straight lefts in round seven and coasted home by winning by scores of 80-72, 78-74 and 78-74.

Magdaleno, 131 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is now 13-0. Robles, 131 1/2 lbs of Kansas City, Kansas is now 9-9.