How long will Vanes Martirosyan continue to fight capdrivers!? (2004 US olympian)

Is he the guy that Roach trains?

 

he looks good so far, some fighters need more time to develop

 

Looks like he has good skills but he needs to step up a level for there to be a reasonable assesment made.

 

He has a very exotic name

 

He left Roach and went to Houston with Ronnie Shields. Apparently there were too many distractions for him training with Freddie in LA LA Land.

As for his opponents to date ... and this is coming from a licensed matchmaker, so take it for what its worth ...

Could Vanes be fighting better guys? Absolutely. Can he beat a higher level of opposition? Absolutely.

But he is still only 21 and is still learning in the ring. And once you get a guy to a certain level, if you decide to pull on the reigns a bit, there is talk that the kid could be a bust or that there is something wrong with him (Read: Andre Ward).

At this point, Top Rank is matching him with guys who have gone rounds with in the past with good fighters in hopes that Vanes will learn everytime out.

He is still fighting swing bouts at this point, so whats the rush?

Here are a few of the recent opponents that he has been in with:

Nelson Estupian (11-4, 8KO):
Fight Before Vanes: L10 12-2-1 Joaquin Zamora
Also: Had gone 8rds with Camacho, Jr. two fights earlier

Albert Mercedes (13-14-1, 9KO)
Fight Before Vanes: KO'd1 12-0-1 Donovan George
Also: L8 13-0-1 Michael Walker, L6 (Spl) Utto Holyfield, KO6 10-1 Kenny Kost

Alexis Division (16-6, 12)
Fight Before Vanes: L8 35-3 Matt Vanda
Also: Division was brought in as a last minute sub.

Patrick Thomson (11-9-1, 4KO)
Fight Before Vanes: L8 (Maj) 14-2 David Medina
Also: L8 11-0 Pawel Wolak two fight earlier

Dan Wallace (9-2, 3)
Fight Before Vanes: KO'd4 16-0 Pawel Wolak
Also: KO'd8 Walter Wright two fights earlier

He is fighting at a certain level right now and I think the boys over at Top Rank are doing a good job putting him in with durable guys.

Once they feel he is ready, there will be his first ten rounder off TV and then the real progression will begin.

Again, why rush him? He is 21 years old. Top Rank doesnt want him to be the next David Reid or Fernando Vargas who peaks at 24 years old.

Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com

 

I don't know what a capdriver is, but it's sufficiently rare to suggest that there can't be many left.

However, I doubt Martirosyan's team will make him step up soon. The problem with protecting a boxer is that it's a vicious circle: it reduces their faith in themselves, and makes them more likely to collapse mentally after their first loss, resulting in them needing yet more protection.

 

His from my town, I just found out my second cousin is co-sponsering him in Texas, ill try to ask my cousin to see what the plan is for him. His at the stage where he needs to be televised on ShoBox, I think the reason theyre taking it slow with him is because he seems a little wild, but I heard that his been holding his own against guys like Karmazin at the wild card gym, so will see.

 

Good post- nice to see some facts and points of view from sport insiders. :good

 

This is his latest fight...
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Not much of an insider anymore. But I still have plenty of friends on the inside that I talk with almost everyday.

Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com

 

I think what you see is that he is getting rid of the guys that they put in front of him a bit more spectacularly than the recent opponents that his guy was fighting.

That shows that he is coming along and taking care of business.

Again, I totally agree that he could be fighting stronger opposition, but I cant stress enough that he is only 21 and look at what has happened to some other fighters who took a real quick jump in boxing (David Reid, Fernando Vargas and to a lesser extent Andre Ward and Rey Bautista).

Wait until he gets his 'man strength' in a few years. This kid could be something special.

Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com

 

I essentially agree, although it's important for his people to continue establishing goals. At some point, complacency will set in. You don't want to rush a fighter, but you don't want to hold one back for no reason, either.

Vargas and Reid got rushed, whereas Jones, Calzaghe and Dawson rose up early yet they were ready. Different fighters, different schedules. In general, though, I think a bit of caution is wise.