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.
THE TOP FIVE: WHY EMANUEL NAVARRETE CONSIDERS "SUGAR" NúñEZ HIS MOST DANGEROUS THREAT YET
Unification is here: Discover why Emanuel Navarrete respects Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez and how to watch the Glendale title war live.
Emanuel Navarrete didn’t hold back this week. He made it clear that Eduardo “Sugar” Núñez isn’t just another unification opponent. With their WBO-IBF super featherweight title fight coming up Saturday night, Navarrete put Núñez in his personal top five toughest opponents. That’s a big compliment, especially from a guy who’s seen pretty much everything in the ring.
During Matchroom’s “Cards on the Table", Navarrete looked Núñez in the eye and said, “Of the five toughest opponents I’ve faced, without a doubt I consider you among them.” For a three-division champ, words like that feel loaded. Maybe he’s playing mind games. Or maybe he just respects what Núñez brings. Either way, it stands out, especially since people have been questioning Navarrete’s recent performances.
Núñez’s record looks scary: 29 wins, just one loss, and 27 knockouts. But if you look closer, things get complicated. He beat Christopher Díaz in Mexico, but that fight dragged into a twelve-round decision. Núñez couldn’t finish strong; his power faded late, and a lot of folks thought Díaz deserved a closer scorecard.
Even so, Eddie Hearn has been hyping up Núñez all week, framing him as the fresher, sharper champion in this matchup.
Meanwhile, Navarrete comes in with some baggage. His last fight against Charly Suarez got messy. The ref gave Navarrete a technical decision win, but then video replay showed Suarez caused a nasty cut with a left hook, not a head clash. The result switched to a no-contest, and the California commission ordered a rematch that never happened. That whole episode left a bad taste, and it exposed some holes in Navarrete’s defence. Now, people wonder if he can handle a disciplined, hard-hitting counter-puncher like Núñez.
Fighting in Glendale, Arizona, adds its own twist. The Mexican fan base always shows up big here, but with both guys hailing from Mexico, there’s no clear home advantage. This time, it’s all about national pride and those belts. The stakes go way beyond just the physical fight; there’s an emotional edge, too.
When two Mexican fighters square off, there’s this silent expectation: give the fans a war. Nobody wants to be the guy playing it safe or backing up all night, not with that crowd watching. It usually means both men take risks they wouldn’t take against anyone else.
Navarrete’s got the legacy, the belts, and the experience. Núñez is the hungry IBF champ looking to make his mark. In Mexican boxing, these moments when one star tries to take the torch from another tend to become legends. Just think Barrera vs. Morales. That’s the kind of fight on the table here, and both guys know what’s at stake.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: DECODING MANNY PACQUIAO’S 11-YEAR PLAN TO AVENGE HIS 2015 CAREER LOSS
Is the 50-0 streak over? Analyse Pacquiao’s recent form, Mayweather’s return, and the high-tech battle at The Sphere.
On September 19, 2026, Floyd Mayweather, now 49, and Manny Pacquiao, 47, will finally face off again. It’s been 11 years since their first fight, and this time they’re stepping into the ring at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Netflix will stream the event live, making it one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent boxing history.
Back in May 2015, Mayweather walked away from “The Fight of the Century” with a unanimous decision win. Since then, he’s only had one big match, a 2017 win over UFC’s Conor McGregor. Pacquiao, on the other hand, fought most recently in 2025. He went toe-to-toe with Mario Barrios, the WBC World Welterweight champ, and managed a draw. People were amazed to see Pacquiao, at 46, still holding his own.
Now, Pacquiao’s got unfinished business. He’s fired up to rewrite the story in this rematch.
When ESPN’s SportsCenter asked Pacquiao why now, he didn’t hesitate. “I’m still active in boxing, and then he came out of retirement, so he decided to do it again. I’m so excited for the fight.”
Mayweather has an exhibition lined up against Mike Tyson in spring 2026. Pacquiao is fighting Ruslan Provodnikov in April, also an exhibition. But when it comes to Mayweather, Pacquiao’s not interested in another exhibition match. “I don’t want to fight in an exhibition with him. I want to fight a real fight. This is what I’m waiting for.”
Pacquiao’s not making excuses this time around. After the first fight, he talked about a shoulder injury, but that’s in the past. “I learned a lot from that fight way back in 2015. I think we’ve both matured. We know how to handle it now. I hope it won’t be like last time. I want no more excuses, especially about my condition. I’m so excited and ready to fight.”
Even at 47, Pacquiao feels sharp. “Both of us are disciplined fighters. We take care of our bodies. I work out almost every day. Honestly, I still feel young. Nothing’s changed.”
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