Snapshots and report from last nights weigh-in
For all of us SoCal fight aficionados, the New Year begins with a bang as TONIGHT offers the very first pro live boxing show of 2010.
Promoted by former bantamweight Kahren Harutyunyun of Art of Boxing Promotions and Steve Bash of Bash Boxing, six bouts of great middleweight and heavyweight action are on tap on the “Glendale Glory 2” card at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.
At last night’s weigh-in, held at the Outback Steakhouse in Glendale, many of us San Fernando Valley locals came out to show our support. After all, Harutyunyun and his team have brought boxing back to the city, after a long 62-year ban of the sweet science. His first show in Glendale was held last summer; tonight’s show will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
It was great to catch up after the craziness of the holidays. And since January 6 is the celebrated Armenian Christmas, the spirit of the holidays was still in the air.
I greeted show promoter Harutyunyun, who told me, “I’m looking forward to our show…now we just have to make sure everyone makes weight.” As a tough Armenian boxer from Yerevan, Kahren was trained by the legendary Freddie Roach. Now as a busy entrepreneur, he is definitely a hands-on promoter as he tended to a thick stack of paperwork necessary for any show.
As we made our way into the back room, I immediately ran into many of L.A.’s hardest-working individuals in the fight game, including former fighters, trainers and managers like Justine Fortune, John Bray, Phil Paolina, Francisco Espinosa, Anthony Rescigno and Hervi Estrada.
We met up with Fortune, a former heavyweight from Australia, who is now training an L.A. fan favorite (who’s quietly on the comeback trail), Mike Anchondo. After a hard-fought and somewhat controversial victory over previously unbeaten Mauricio Herrera, Justin says Mike is now scheduled to take on popular Filipino Mark Melligen in a battle of two “Mightys.” Asked a prediction of this February 13 matchup, Fortune pulled no punches about his current charge, who’s had well-documented issues about his weight. “IF Mike is in shape for the fight,” Justin told me, “he’ll kick Melligen’s ass!”
Also spoke with another former slugger and current trainer, John Bray. You saw him recently with his protégé Miguel Espino in the Kelly Pavlik battle on December 19. While he won the crowd over for his heart and gutsy performance, he lost by TKO in the fifth. Bray said, “If Miguel had stuck to his game plan, we would’ve done better!” But after that last performance, they are now getting tons of calls for future fights. His Hall of Famer trainer said Miguel, a tough warrior, will be fighting again soon, possibly in the next couple of months.
One more fighter/trainer combo I chatted with was the former light heavy Phil Paolina. He also trains some very talented amateur standouts, one I met last night who was a lot prettier than most boxers! Stefanie Taylor, a 2006 Silver Medalist in the Olympic trials, is a tall, willowy brunette who loves fighting. You can catch the female boxer at the 2010 USA Boxing Southern California District Tournament in Pacoima, beginning January 22.
And Stefanie, just like everyone else in the restaurant, was really looking forward to tonight’s show. We are all hardcore and passionate about boxing. Now just eight days into the new year, Harutyunyun and Bash are thankfully providing us with our fight fix!
Stopping by for a quick visit, I also had a little time to meet a few of the boxers on the “Glendale Glory 2” card, including the young and very promising heavyweight Andrey Fedosov, just 23. The baby-faced brawler already has 20 victories, with 16 by way of knockout! The Russian fighter is managed by Steve Bash and looks ready for tonight.
Next we said hello to main event fighter Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin, a fierce former IBF Light Middleweight World Champion, and also the comebacking Jose “Shibata” Flores. The Mexican southpaw is back in the ring after a seven-year hiatus. He told me that he started thinking of coming back about a year ago. The slim and trim Flores was greeted warmly by former trainer “Pancho” Espinosa. The two first worked together over 15 years ago and have maintained a good friendship through the years. He hopes to add another long-awaited W on his ledger tonight.
Check out the snapshots from last night, with official weights, bout lineup and ticket info below too.
See you at the fights!
Weights from last night:
Main Event (IBF Title Eliminator)
12 ROUNDS-MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Dionisio Miranda 155 vs. Roman Karmazin 158
8 ROUNDS-HEAVYWEIGHTS
Lionel Butler 276 vs. Andrey Fedosov 223
6 ROUNDS-LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Isaac Atencio 174 vs. Anatoliy Dudchenko 175
6 ROUNDS-MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Roberto Valenzuela 160 vs. Jose “Shibata” Flores 158
FOUR ROUNDS-JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Artur Bernetsyan 130 (pro debut) vs. Francisco Solis 130
4 ROUNDS-HEAVYWEIGHTS
Netzahyualc Wilson (pro debut) 230 vs. Chris Davis (pro debut) 251
“Glendale Glory 2” is presented by Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing, Elite Boxing, Rumble Time Promotions, Glendale Fighting Club, and Alfredo Marchio
Doors Open 5:30 p.m.
First Bout 6 p.m.
*ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” broadcast will begin at 7 p.m.(PT)
For tickets:
www.glendaleglory.com
www.artofboxingpromotions.com
Photos by Michele Chong