HEARTBREAK: CANCER ENDS THE JOURNEY OF FIGHTER VANES MARTIROSYAN
American Olympian and professional boxer Vanes Martirosyan has died at 39 after a two-year battle with skin cancer. The former world title challenger, known for his 2018 fight with Gennady Golovkin, leaves behind a wife and two children.
It's sad to report that Vanes Martirosyan, the former junior middleweight fighter, has died at 39 after fighting skin cancer for two years. Martirosyan, who boxed for the United States at the 2004 Olympics, ended his career in 2019 with a record of 36-4-1, including 21 knockouts. His career included wins against fighters such as Ishe Smith, Kassim Ouma, Joe Greene, and Willie Nelson. He retired after losing to Erislandy Lara and Gennadiy Golovkin.
Born in Armenia, Martirosyan moved to Glendale, California, with his family when he was four. He got his love for boxing from his dad and started boxing at the young age of seven.
At 18, he boxed for the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, as a welterweight. Later in his pro career, he fought Gennady Golovkin but lost in two rounds.
Martirosyan is survived by his wife, a son named Andrew, and a daughter, Arianna. On Sunday, his family shared a message on social media, saying, Our hearts are broken today. We've lost an amazing man—a loving husband, a great dad, a kind person, and someone who touched everyone he met.
Anyone who knew Vanes knew how special and loving he was. The emptiness he leaves will be with us always.
We love him so much and will miss him terribly. It won't be easy, but we believe he's going to a better place, free from pain and suffering, a place of peace.
Please pray for him so he can rest peacefully.
He became a pro at 20 and was coached by the famous Freddie Roach.
Most people will remember Martirosyan for his 2018 fight with Gennady Golovkin. He filled in for Canelo Alvarez and only had three weeks to get ready.
Golovkin knocked him out in the second round. Martirosyan said Golovkin's punch felt like being hit by a train.
StadiumNest team is deeply saddened to hear about Vanes Martirosyan's passing, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
JUAN CARLOS GUERITO OUTPOINTS BARKER SSEWANYANA TO SECURE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT SUCCESS
Recap the undercard results from Riyadh's Night of Champions. Juan Carlos Guerito and Sultan Almohammed scored wins, while Julio Porras Ruiz drew with Pius Mpenda. Mohammed Alakel remained undefeated.
In the opening bout at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mexican newcomer Juan Carlos Guerito triumphed over Uganda's Barker Ssewanyana, who entered the ring with a record of 1-1-1.
Guerito started the match with intense aggression, delivering powerful punches throughout, with a particular focus on landing left hooks to the body. Ssewanyana lost a point in the fourth round due to holding, resulting in Guerito dominating the scorecards with a 40-35 decision.
Sultan “El Nino” Almohammed, originally from Syria and now competing out of Saudi Arabia, unexpectedly prompted India’s Umesh Chavan to turn away in the first round, leading the referee to call off the match. Although Chavan’s record now stands at 3-2-1, he protested against the stoppage, which occurred after Almohammed landed a significant body shot just before Chavan was unable to continue. Almohammed improved his record to 2-0 (1 KO) following this bout.
Mexican super middleweight Julio Porras Ruiz, who had been unbeaten, experienced his first setback, bringing his record to 13-0-1 (9 KOs) after falling to Tanzania's Pius Mpenda, who holds a record of 11-4-2 (5 KOs).
Ruiz, with a height advantage, attempted to find his rhythm with his jab early in the fight but was hit by several solid blows, ultimately failing to impress before a 57-57 draw was declared.
Saudi fighter Mohammed Alakel started strong against the 34-year-old Jiaming Li from China, landing clear shots in the opening round. Alakel's jab was effective as the fight progressed, and he enjoyed significant success.
Li managed to avoid severe trouble by utilising a high guard and only attacking sporadically, but a frustrated Abel Sanchez, Alakel's trainer, demanded more from him.
In the fifth round, Li briefly lost his balance due to a jab, which he claimed was merely a slip, but there was little argument against the validity of the punch that caused it.
As the fight drew to a close, Li attempted to exchange blows with Alakel, who was successful across all areas and earned a unanimous decision with scores of 60-53. Alakel's record now stands at 7-0 (1 KO), while Li's falls to 7-6 (4 KOs).
These four matches served as preliminary events leading up to the Night of Champions Ring 4 show, featuring key matchups such as Sam Noakes facing Abdullah Mason, Jesse Rodriguez against Fernando Martinez, Devin Haney challenging Brian Norman, and Anthony Yarde taking on David Benavidez.
SHOCK: CANELO ALVAREZ CONFIRMS CRAWFORD REMATCH NEGOTIATIONS ARE GO
Canelo Alvarez has requested a 2026 rematch with Terence Crawford after losing their first fight. Negotiations are underway, but questions remain over the financial backing and fan interest.