Championship Belts at Press Conference
It’s almost time, fight fans!
Kazakhstan’s Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will square off against Glendale’s Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan THIS Saturday, May 5 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. airing live on HBO.
The fighters, trainers and their respective teams all met Wednesday at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles. Golovkin will be taking on his 20th consecutive and record-tying title defense when he laces up against the local Armenian-American Martirosyan (who stepped in after Canelo canceled the GGG vs. Alvarez fight).
This Cinco de Mayo bash is still being touted as “Mexican Style” in honor of Triple G’s large fan base in the Southland. Vanes will have his own share of supporters in this middleweight clash for Golovkin’s WBA, IBF and IBO titles as well as the special WBC belt designed just for this competition. That’s a lot of hardware. And the shiny belts were on full display at yesterday’s presser. The World Boxing Council (WBC) also showcased a special Chiapas, Mexico belt that gladiators will fight for come May 5.
The undercard will also feature the very first women’s fight to be broadcast live on HBO–a rumble between Cecilia Braekhus vs. Kali Reis in what should be a memorable matchup between two fierce ladies.
Saturday’s card is presented by GGG Promotions, in association with Don King Productions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. Promoters Tom Loeffler, Don King and Joe DeGuardia were all on stage at the press luncheon. Trainers Abel Sanchez, Edmund Tarverdyan and Lucia Rijker were also seated on the dais.
Undercard boxer Brian Ceballo, champ Mia St. John, fighter Natasha Spence and boxing manager Brian Cohen, the WBC’s Pepe Sulaiman, Jill Diamond and Nancy Rodriguez and other notables were also in attendance.
While critics balk at this matchup between unbeaten champion Triple G and “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (who has campaigned at junior middleweight his whole career and hasn’t fought in two years), the camps say this will be an entertaining bout for the fans.
GGG, 36, isn’t planning on relinquishing any of this titles and Vanes (who just turned 32 on May 1) is planning on shocking the boxing world with an upset win.
On Saturday, will the sparks fly? Both punchers say they’re ready. So boxing fans, get ready to watch the fists fly on Saturday night!
Tickets: (888) 9AXS-TIX
Photos by Michele Chong
