Undefeated Austin Brooks & Aran Avagyan Battle to an exciting 10-round draw

TACOMA, Wash. (June 16, 2024) – Unbeaten Austin Brooks (12-0-1, 5 KOs) 

successfully defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental USA super featherweight title last night, albeit by way of a unpopular 10-round split draw with dangerous Aram “Warrior” Avagyan (11-1-3, 5 KOs), in the main event on the entertaining “EQC Fight Night” card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc., in association with Whitfield Haydon Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) in Tacoma, Washington.

Fighting out of San Diego, the 28-year-old Brooks needed a strong rally in the final two rounds of a thrilling throw-back fight against Avagyan, the 2016 Armenian Olympian, to retain his WBA Continental USA crown in front of a standing only crowd.

Aram relentlessly pressured Brooks from the start and it appeared the fight was getting away from the defending champion. Both fighters had their moments through the first action-packed eight rounds, but Aram’s exceptionally high work rate appeared to have him on his way to victory. Brooks, though, to his credit picked his spots and took the last two critical rounds for the hard-earned draw. 

Toro Promotions’ growing stable of large, talented heavyweights, including Dante Stone (16-1, 11 KOs) and Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs), was on display last night as Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh and Tsotne Rogava (9-0, 7 KOs) were both in action.

Ibeh(13-2-1, 10 KOs), who is a native of Nigeria now living in Phoenix, is a cousin of the retired, infamous heavyweight boxer Ike Ibeabuchi. Ibeh, who played college football at Washburn University, as well as professionally in the Canadian Football League, completely dominated former Texas champion Juan Torres (11-7-1. 4 KOs).

The 6’ 4”, 300-pound Ibeh was simply too big and strong for Torres, who was floored four times enroute to a second-round knockout for Ibeh.

Tsotne, a fast riser with tremendous upside, showed that he’s a good boxer in addition to having lethal power, going the complete distance for the scone time in a row. The 2020 Ukraine Olympian used his 6’ 5”, 270-pounder frame and deceptive quickness to dominate battle-tested Jon Bolden (10-14-1, 7 KOs) in the eight-round Special Heavyweight Attraction. 

The Georgia-born Rogava, who now resides in Marina del Rey (CA), and is trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen, dropped Bolden in the second and fifth rounds in a near shutout decision, winning all eight rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards, seven on the other, in a match somewhat marred by Bolden’s constant clinching in a survival mode.

Undefeated Nicaraguan super featherweight prospect Nilo Guerrero (9-0, 7 KO), a 2016 Nicaragua Youth National Champion who lives in Coachella (CA), extended his impressive win streak to nine, taking a dominate six-round unanimous decision against veteran Diuhi “Elegante” Olguin (16-38-7, 10 KOs). The 23-year-old Guerrero, 23, once again skillfully used his abnormal 6’ 1” height and length for a super featherweight to his advantage.  

Also fighting on the undercard in four-rounders were Hoquiam (WA) super welterweight Nathan “Superman” Stolen (2-0, 1 KO), who won a four-round split decision over Julio Munoz, Jr. (0-1-1), in an all-out slugfest in which the two fighters fought like Rockem Sockem robots, while Auburn (WA) lightweight Agustin Tovar (1-0) defeated pro debuting Miquel Gonzales (0-1) in a spirited encounter that featured a high volume of punches with Tovar clearly landing the crisper shots.

Complete results below:

____________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – WBA CONTINENTAL USA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Austin Brooks (12-0-1, 5 KOs), San Diego, CA

SD10 (97-93, 97-93, 95-95)

Aram Avagyan (11-1-3., 5 KOs), Burbank, CA by way of Armenia

(Brooks retained his WBA Continental USA featherweight title)

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kingsley Ibeh (13-2-1, 11 KOs), Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

WKO2 (0:41)

Juan Torres (11-7-1, 4 KOs), Cypress, TX

SPECIAL HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION

Tsotne Rogava (9-0, 7 KOs), Marina del Rey, CA by way of Ukraine and Georgi

WUDEC (80-70, 80-70, 79-71)

Jon Bolden (10-14-1, 7 KOs), Seattle, WA

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Nathan Stolen (2-0, 1 KO), Hoquiam, WA

WSDEC (39-37, 39-73, 37-39)

Julio Munoz, Jr. (0-1-1), Tucson, AZ

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Agustin Tovar (2-0, 0 KOs), Auburn, WA

WUDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)

Miquel Gonzales (0-1), Bakersfield, CA

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Nilo Guerrero (9-0, 7 KOs), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua

WUDEC6 (60-54, 59-55, 59-55)

Diuhi Olguin (16-38-7, 10 KOs), Oak Hills, CA by way of Mexico

_____________________________________________________________________

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Toro Promotions signs Undefeated Austin Brooks

LOS ANGELES (May 30, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc. has signed undefeated Austin Brooks (12-0, 5 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental USA Super Featherweight Champion, to an exclusive promotional contract.

Brooks, 28, has traveled on a particularly rough journey through the years, overcoming many obstacles, including homelessness, to become a legitimate boxing prospect.

“I felt that Toro treated me the best and showed me the most respect of any promoter,” Brooks explained why he signed with Toro. “I needed to sign with a promoter to get my career going. It’s tough being a free agent. Toro believes in me like I do, others didn’t. Signing with Toro is a good choice for me.”

“Both Toro Promotions and Sheer Sports management see Austin Brooks as the embodiment of the American Dream,” Toro Promotions president Azat Torosyan commented. “We are in agreement that he has been overlooked and is capable of accomplishing tremendous things in the sport and we will stop at nothing to help him in his quest.”

Born in Idaho, Brooks lived in multiple cities in five different states, but now he’s happy to be settled down living in San Diego.

“I was raised by a single parent, and she did her best, but we had a lot of ups and downs,” Brooks explained. “It made me tougher; moving from school to school, I had my fair share of fights. I lived out of my car and in foster homes, but I wouldn’t change anything. Looking back, it made me who I am. and the love of this sport pulled me through because I felt it could help me be somebody. I’ve had a lot of good experiences and met a lot of good people.”

Brooks watches a lot of fights, particularly old-school classics, and the first boxer that he picked things up from was Roy Jones, Jr., along with James Toney and Pernell Whitaker. His goals include positioning himself for a world title shot in late 2025, early 2026.

Trained by Basheer Abdullah, Brooks is managed by Sheer Sports, a highly respected management group specializing in boxing.

Brooks, 28, defends his super featherweight title on June 15, headlining “EQC Fight Night,” presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. in association with Whitfield Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) in Tacoma, Washington.

Brooks captured his World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental USA belt in his last fight when he knocked out previously unbeaten Cuban boxer Jose Manuel Izaguirre (7-0. 3 KOs) in the seventh round this past February 10th in Long Beach, California. Brooks, a southpaw, has fought only once at EQC, which ended in a six-round technical knockout of Anthony Chavez (11-3-1) on August 26, 2023.

In his Toro debut on June 15th, Brooks will make his first title defense against 2015 Armenian Olympian Aram “Warrior” Avagyan (11-1-2, 5 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

“He (Avagyan) will be my best opponent so far,” Brooks noted. “He’s tough and experienced. I treat every fight as just my next fight and treat all my opponents the same. Right now, I’m focused 100-percent on doing what I should to be great.”


EQC FIGHT NIGHT LINEUP

MAIN EVENT – WBA CONTINENTAL USA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)

Austin Brooks (12-0, 5 KOs), Champion, San Diego, CA

vs.

Aram “Warrior” Avagyan (11-1-2, 5 KOs), Challenger, Burbank, CA by way of Armenia

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS (8)

Tsotne Rogava (8-0, 7 KOs), Marina del Rey, CA by way of Ukraine & Georgia

vs.

Jon Bolden (10-13-1, 7 KOs), Seattle, WA

SPECIAL HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION (8)

Kinsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs), Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

vs.

Juan Torres (11-6-1, 4 KOs), Cypress, TX

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)

Nilo Guerrero (8-0, 7 KOs), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua

vs.

Diuhi “Elegante” Olguin (16-37-7, 10 KOs)

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Nathan “Superman” Stolen (1-0, 1 KO), Hoquiam, WA

vs.

Julio Munoz, Jr. (0-0-1), Tucson, AZ

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Agustin Tovar (1-0, 0 KOs)

vs.

TBA

(Card subject to change)


Tickets are on sale now for $70.00 and $45.00 and may be purchased online at https://emeraldqueen.com/boxing/ or by calling (253) 594-7777. Tickets purchased at the Emerald Queen Shop are eligible for up to a 20-discount, plus no taxes or processing fees. Must be 21 years of age to attend.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7 p.m. PT.




Undefeated Austin Brooks to defend his WBA Continental USA Featherweight title vs.   2016 Armenian Olympian Aran Avagyan

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc., in association with Whitfield Haydon Boxing, returns June 15th to the famed Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) in Tacoma, Washington, to showcase its powerful stable of professional boxers on the “EQC Fight Night” card.

Undefeated Austin Brooks (12-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of La Mesa (CA), defends his World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental super featherweight title for the first time, versus 2015 Armenian Olympian Aram “Warrior” Avagyan (11-1-2, 5 KOs) in an All-Toro 10-round main event.

Brooks, 28, captured his WBA Continental USA belt in his last fight, when he knocked out previously unbeaten (7-0) Jose Manuel Izaguirre in the seventh round this past February 10th in Long Beach, California. Brooks, a southpaw, has fought only once at EQC, which ended in a six-round technical knockout of Anthony Chavez (11-3-1) on August 26, 2023.

Avagyan, now living in Burbank (CA), was a two-time bronze medalist in the European Championships as an amateur, in addition to representing his country at the 2016 Olympics. His most recent fight, after nearly three years of inactivity, was on April 12th in Colorado, in which his opponent, Juan Santiago, was unable to continue after three rounds. 

Red-hot, power broker and 2020 Ukraine Olympian, Tsotne Rogava (7-0, 7 KOs), continues his accelerated march to a world heavyweight rating, when the 6’ 5”, 270-pounder takes on battle-tested Jon Bolden (10-13-1, 7 KOs), of Seattle, in the eight-round co-featured event. 

A champion kickboxer who has successfully transitioned to boxing, the Georgia-native and Ukraine-raised Rogava has won his last four fights via first-round stoppages, and he’s only fought a grand total of nine rounds in seven pro bouts to date. Rogava now resides in Marina del Rey (CA), and he is trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen.

Toro Promotions has an imposing group of gifted and large heavyweight, including Rogava, Dante Stone (16-1, 11 KOs), Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs) and another rising prospect, Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-1, 10 KOs), who will also be in action on the June 15th show.

Ibeh, who is a native of Nigeria who now resides in Phoenix, is a cousin of the retired, infamous heavyweight boxer Ike Ibeabuchi. The 6’ 4”, 300-pound Ibeh played football in college (Washburn U.) as well as professionally in the Canadian Football League.

Veteran mixed-martial-arts fighter Juan Torres (11-6-1, 4 KOs), the former Texas and ABF USA heavyweight champion, will challenge Ibeh in the eight-round Special Heavyweight Attraction.  

Undefeated Nicaraguan super featherweight prospect Nilo Guerrero (8-0, 1 KO), a 2016 Nicaragua Youth National Champion who lives in Coachella (CA), faces 60-fight veteran Diuhi “Elegante” Olguin in a six-round match. Guerrero, 23, skillfully uses his abnormal 6’ 1” height (and length) to a tremendous advantage thus far in the super featherweight division.  

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-rounders is Hoquiam (WA) super welterweight Nathan “Superman” Stolen (1-0, 1 KO), another MMA fighter who has fought in the highly respected Bellator, vs. Julio Munoz, Jr. (0-0-1), of Tucson, and Auburn (WA) lightweight Agustin Tovar (1-0) vs. Robert Jimenez (0-2), of Nampa, Idaho.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale now for $70.00 and $45.00 and may be purchased online at https://emeraldqueen.com/boxing/ or by calling (253) 594-7777.  Tickets purchased at the Emerald Queen Shop are eligible for up to a 20-discount, plus no taxes or processing fees. Must be 21 years of age to attend. 

Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7 p.m. PT.




Toro Promotions’ Fighter Weights from Superior, Colorado

SUPERIOR, Colo. (April 11, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc. weighed-in three boxers today for tomorrow evening’s event, presented by Airtight Boxing in association with Toro Promotions, at Blue Sports Stable in Superior, Colorado.

Arizona heavyweight Dante Stone (15-1, 10 KOs) is riding a 15-fight win streak into his first scheduled 10-round fight versus Matthew “El Matador” McKinney (16-7-3, 12 KOs) in the main event.

Stone is part of Toro Promotions’ growing stable of promising heavyweights that also includes 2016 Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogova (6-0, 6 KOs), who is fighting Jesse Bryan (21-8-2, 16 KOs) in the eight-round co-featured event.

Toro has one other fighter on Friday night’s card, 2016 Armenia Olympian Aram “Warrior” Avagyan (10-1-2, 4 KOs), who has been idle since his only loss on July 23, 2021, takes on 44-fight veteran Juan Santiago in a six-round lightweight bout.

Official Weights Below:


OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – HEAVYWEIGHTS — 10 ROUNDS

(L) DANTE STONE

Chandler, AZ

15-1, 10 KOs

271 lbs.

vs.

(R) MATTHEW “El Matador” McKINNEY

Escondido, CA

16-7-3, 12 KOs

295.8lbs.

CO-FEATURE — HEAVYWEIGHTS – 8 ROUNDS

(L) TSOTNE ROGAVA

2020 Ukraine Olympian

Marina del Rey, California by way of Ukraine and Georgia

6-0, 6 KOs

265.8 lbs.

vs.

(R) JESSE BRYAN

Jefferson City, MO

21-8-2, 16 KOs

240.4 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

(L) ARAM “Warrior” AVAGYAN

Burbank, CA by way of Armenia

10-1-2, 4 KOs

135 lbs.

vs.

(R) JUAN “Chago” SANTIAGO

Denver, CO

17-24-3, 10 KOs)

133.6 lbs.


INFORMATION:

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TikTok: @ToroPromo

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SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT SLUGGER ARAM AVAGYAN WILLING TO REMATCH JOSE NUNEZ UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAN CONTROVERSIAL FIRST FIGHT

Los Angeles – January 22, 2021 – A bitterly disappointed Aram Avagyan says he’s willing to do a rematch of his exciting showdown with Jose “Magnifico” Nunez, but this time things have to be a bit different.

The two undefeated super featherweights, Avagyan (10-0-2, 4 KOs) and Nunez (11-0-2, 4 KOs), fought to a fan-friendly eight-round majority draw this week, in the co-main event of Wednesday night’s edition of ShoBox: The New Generation from Mohegan Sun Arena.

But Avagyan, who was facing his fourth consecutive undefeated opponent, takes great exception to the outcome and feels the scores of judges Tom Carusone and John McKaie, who both scored the exciting fight 76-76, and especially Judge Peter Hary, who had it 77-75 in favor of Nunez, were way off base. Former champ Raul Marquez of Showtime, had it 77-75 for Avagyan.

“I was shocked,” said Avagyan from his adopted home in Los Angeles. “I thought I only lost round four and the last round. That’s all I give him, and I have 20 years’ experience in boxing. I know when I’m winning or losing.”

Avagyan says Panama’s Nunez must have been getting credit for punches that didn’t land throughout the fight.

“He didn’t hit me clean once!” Avagyan continued. “Every punch he threw, I blocked and then countered, and I caught him with clean power shots throughout. All he did was his slapping punch on my right arm over and over. The fight wasn’t even close. My coach told me don’t stop in the last round, but I said to myself that if I’m winning the fight, I don’t want to take a lot of risks because this is boxing. One lucky punch can end everything, so I just enjoyed myself for the last three minutes, knowing I had already won.”

Still stinging as he spends quality time with his family, Avagyan says he’d like the rematch with Nunez, but only under different circumstances with different officials.

“If the rematch is going to be like that, forget it. Were the judges watching my fight or another fight? The one who gave him 77-75 – was he just learning how to judge? I even knocked him down and they didn’t count it. It’s ridiculous.”

Avagyan’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says the fight was close in his eyes, but his fighter should have gotten the nod. Salita says if Team Nunez want to do it again, things will have to be a bit different.

“It was a highly competitive fight, but I thought Aram pulled it out,” said Salita. “I had it 77-75 for Aram, same as Raul Marquez. It’s great for boxing when two undefeated fighters face each other, so if the boxing fans and his team want to do it again, we are willing as well. But this time, it should be scheduled for 10 rounds, not eight. Then we’ll know who the real winner is, and I know it will be Aram.”

About Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.




PROMOTER LEWKOWICZ WANTS TO DO IMMEDIATE NUNEZ VS. AVAGYAN REMATCH AFTER ACTION-PACKED DRAW IN SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® CO-MAIN EVENT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

New York, New York – January 22, 2021 – Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of undefeated Panamanian super featherweight Jose “Magnifico” Nunez (11-0-2, 4 KOs), says a rematch must happen between his fighter and Armenia’s Aram Avagyan (10-0-2, 4 KOs).

The pair of hard-nosed prospects fought to an action-packed eight-round majority draw this week in the co-main event of Wednesday night’s edition of ShoBox: The New Generation from Mohegan Sun Arena, as Judge Peter Hary had it 77-75 in favor of the Panamanian, but was overruled by Tom Carusone and John McKaie, who both scored the exciting fight 76-76. Showtime’s unofficial scorer Steve Farhood scored it 77-75 in favor of Nunez.

Lewkowicz, who places no blame at the feet of the judges, says there’s only one way to establish who is the better fighter between the two warriors… they have to do it again.

“I don’t blame the judges,” said Lewkowicz, “it was a close fight and difficult to score, but after his tremendous performance, my fighter deserves another chance for a victory,” said Lewkowicz. “A draw leaves no clear winner, so they must fight again.”

According to Lewkowicz, Avagyan and his team have an open invitation to do it again on any of his upcoming televised shows.

“It was a great fight and I congratulate both fighters, but I want to do this again as soon as possible,” said Lewkowicz, “The fans deserve to see them put on another great show and the only way to solve who is better is by doing a rematch.”

Lewkowicz says he hopes Team Avagyan have the same mindset and looks forward to beginning negotiations with them.

About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.




Williams Decisions Solano

Myquan Williams won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yeis Solano in a fight featuring undefeated super lightweights at the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

As early as round four, the right eye of Williams began to swell.

In round eight, Williams scored a knockdown when he landed a jab that sent Solano to the canvas. In round 10, Solano was deducted a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Solano was credited a knockdown when both guys came together and a punch was landed with both guys hit the canvas.

Solano landed 142 of 519 punches. Williams was 200 of 646.

Williams, 139 1/2 lbs of East Hartford, CT won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice, and is now 16-0-1. Solano, 139 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles is 15-1.

“The judges definitely got it right,” said Williams. “I thought I landed the bigger, sharper shots for sure. I let him do a little too much though. He was shooting that straight left a lot, but I was catching most of them. He didn’t land too much.

“I would give myself a seven or eight out of 10. I could have done a lot more. The first couple rounds were good but in the middle of the fight, I kind of let him back in. But I adjusted and picked it back up and got my second wind in the latter rounds.”

“It was definitely important not to just get the win but to look good doing it,” said Williams. “I’ve been off for 15 months and this is a big platform to fight on. It’s my first televised fight so I thought it was important to look good and showcase my skills.

“It was a little weird fighting in front of no fans. I could hear a little bit of what the announcers were saying which was different. But I think it allowed me to focus a little more, to be honest. Not hearing the crowd and playing to the crowd helped me in the end.”

Nunez and Avagyan battle to a draw

Jose Nunez and Aram Avagyan battled to an eight-round majority draw in a featherweight bout.

Nunez landed 122 of 484 punches; Avagyan was 136 of 471.

Scores were 77-75 for Nunez, while two cards were even at 76-76.

Nunez, 127 1/4 lbs of Panama is 11-0-2. Avagyan, 128 lbs of Glendale, CA is 10-0-2.

“There was no justice tonight,” said Nunez. “It’s not fair. I won the first four rounds and closed out the last one as well. I executed the game plan really well. I knew he was a tough opponent, so I needed to slow him down by attacking the body and that’s exactly what I did.

“I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be another draw. It was a tough fight, but I already proved that I’m the better fighter. He was not the toughest opponent I’ve faced because the truth is that I feel like I won. At the very least, I very clearly won five rounds.”

“I definitely did enough to get the win,” said Avagyan. “It doesn’t make sense to me. He never hurt me. I got hit with some body shots, but I blocked everything. Every big shot he threw he missed. I thought I fought a good fight and deserved the win. I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be judged like that. If it’s going to be fair, then yes, I would fight him again.”




Salita Promotions Signs Undefeated Armenian Featherweight Aram Avagyan to a Promotional Contract

Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated Armenian featherweight Aram Avagyan to a promotional contract.

Avagyan (9-0-1, 4 KOs) hails from the Armenian capital of Yerevan and currently fights out of Moscow, Russia. The former amateur star started boxing at age 10 and went on to win two bronze medals at the European Championships and participate in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Known as a smart tactician in the ring, 29-year-old Avagyan holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports at the Russian-Armenian University.

A three-year professional, Avagyan won the WBC International Silver Feather Title with a unanimous decision over proven Mexican veteran Emanuel Lopez in 2018. He made his US debut and successfully defended his title for the second time in Las Vegas last May with a unanimous decision over fellow undefeated prospect Francisco Esparza on the undercard of the Canelo vs. Danny Jacobs fight.

“I have high expectations with Salita Promotions, and I believe that we will soon reach great heights,” said Avagyan. “I am glad that the head of the company is a former professional boxer since he understands very well what to be an athlete. My goal with every fight is to win and move closer to my goal of becoming a world champion. I have chosen this path and I want to fight with anyone in the top 10 and all the champions. I’m always ready anywhere and with anyone!”

Promoter Salita says Avagyan will soon start working with Sugarhill Steward at the Kronk Gym in Detroit to prepare for his upcoming debut under the Salita Promotions banner. That fight will be announced shortly.

“Aram has the resume and skills to be a force in the featherweight division,” said Salita. “His exciting style and desire to face the best will create a lot of exciting fights in the talent-packed division.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.




Canelo tightens monopoly on middleweight crown with decision over Jacobs

LAS VEGAS — It’s all about business. Canelo’s business, which these days is beginning to look a little bit like a monopoly of the middleweight division and perhaps a lot more.

 The Canelo biz continued to roll on, almost as if it had been scripted Saturday night in a unanimous decision over Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena for four pieces of the 160-pound tile. Jacobs was supposed to pose a real threat. He possessed all of the things that have troubled Canelo Alvarez in the past.

But Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) is never exactly the same fighter he was in the past. He evolves. He learns. He wins. Jacobs’ quick feet, long jab and switch-hitting versality were all there. But never long enough to upset Canelo or his ceaseless march through and over any perceived difficulty.

 Good businessmen are supposed to solve problems. Canelo has.  And does.  His is a career that unfolds almost like process. Jacobs’ had his moments — in the sixth round, again in the seventh and in the ninth. But they were never more than just that: Passing moments and none ever sustained over 12 rounds.

Canelo won on all three cards – 116-112 on one and 115-113 on two. Dispute the margins. But not the victory. In the early going, Canelo flashed some slick, newfound head movement that troubled Jacobs, who had said that the Mexican struggled against moving targets. In the early going, however, Canelo flipped that one. He was the moving target.

 In the middle rounds, he drew Jacobs (35-3, 29 KOs) into the center of the ring, real estate that was supposed to complement Jacob’s skillset. But. But a toe-to-toe exchange in the middle of that contested canvas allowed Canelo to exert his superior power. It left Jacobs wary at a moment when he needed to be bold. His defeat was imminent.

“It was just what we thought,,’’ Canelo said in his matter-of-fact tone. “We knew he was going to be a difficult fighter but,  thank God, we did things the right way, what we were going to do. It was just what we thought because of the style of fight that he brings. But we just did our job.”

Canelo created just enough doubt in Jacobs to keep the likable Brooklyn fighter down on the cards and unable to do enough for a scorecard victory, especially in a city known to favor the Mexican on the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

 It definitely took me a couple rounds to get my wits about me, to figure out his rhythm, because he’s a pop shotter,’’ said Jacobs, who was subject to a $1-million fine for being 3.6 pounds heavier than the contracted 170 pounds in a morning weigh-in. “He was a fast guy, very slippery. It was a great contest today, I look forward to the future. I feel like I gave enough tonight to get the victory, so I’ll have to go back to the tapes to see exactly what happened.”

Jacob’s quote might be the first in which a rival fighter has called Canelo fast and slippery. It is sure sign of the way he continues to evolve.

 For now, the questions is: What’s next? Gennady Golovkin was in Vegas and at ringside after announcing that he hired trainer Johnathon Banks, who succeeds Abel Sanchez. GGG is 0-1-1 against Canelo, both bouts controversial and both at T-Mobile.

The next date for Canelo to fight is in mid-September. Like Canelo, GGG has a  contract with DAZN, the streaming service that was expected to pay Canelo between $30 and $35 million for his victory over Jacobs.

 “One of the reasons Gennady chose the Zone (DAZN) was that it was the cleanest path to a third fight,’’ GGG promoter and manager Tom Loeffler said Saturday before opening bell.

 Canelo did say no to that possibility after his decision over Jacobs.

 “I’m just looking for the biggest challenge. That’s all I want,” said Canelo, who went on to say there was no lingering anger at GGG that might prevent the third step in a trilogy.  “No, for me, it’s over. But if the people want another fight, we’ll do it again, and I’ll beat him again.”

 Again, that’s business, the Canelo way. 

Golden Boy Promotions executive Eric Gomez called Vergil Ortiz Jr. “boxing’s best prospect” at a news conference. Hard to argue with that one. At least, it was Saturday night when Ortiz’ power did what nobody ever has: Knock out welterweight Mauricio Herrera.

Ortiz (13-0, 13 KOs), of Dallas, delivered rights that echoed throughout T-Mobile Arena. Herrera (24-9, 7 KOs), a journeyman from Riverside, Calif., was on the canvas in the final moments of the second round. He was finished early in the third after a beautiful right from Ortiz connected like bat to a ball. It was a home run.

Jo Jo Diaz wins stoppage, calls out Tevin Farmer

A new look doesn’t make for a new fighter. But a new weight class might.

At least, that’s what Jo Jo Diaz Jr can hope after a super-featherweight stoppage of Nicaraguan Freddy Fonseca (26-3-1, 17 KOs).

“126 (featherweight was just way too hard for me,” said Diaz (29-1, 15 KOs) whose lime-dyed hair made him look like like a big snow-cone.
The hair was funny. But his punches weren’t.  A succession of them in the seventh round forced Fonseca’s corner to throw in the towel.
“Where are you Tevin?” Diaz said of Tevin Farmer, who stepped in front of Diaz at a Thursday news conference and initiated a widely-seen exchange of trash talk.

Lamont Roach wins unanimous decision over Oquendo 

Lamont Roach took punches and gave up points early. But he took control of the tempo and his future late, scoring a unanimous decision over experienced Puerto Rican Jonathon Oquendo in a victory that could be a stepping stone toward a major super-featherweight title.

Roach (19-01, 7 KOs), of Washington D.C., overcame a punishing body blow in the opening moments of the first live-streamed fight on DAZN’s Canelo-Jacobs card. He got help from a 1-point penalty assessed Oquendo (30-6, 19 KOs) in the eighth for a head-butt and then capitalized in the ninth with a succession of head-rocking combos.

There was no escape from power and aggressiveness. Not this time. Sadam Ali had no where to run, no place to hide, from an incoming Anthony Young (21-2, 8 KOs), an Atlantic City welterweight who trapped the favored Ali (27-3, 4 KOs) along the ropes and finished the Brooklyn fighter with a succession of unblocked punches late in the third round of the final fight before DAZN-streamed portion of the Canelo-Jacobs card.

Ryder rolls to third-round stoppage for interim belt

It was an interim title. Aren’t they all? But John Ryder looked as if he might become a long-term champion.

Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs), a super-middleweight from London, did everything he had to and then some, walking through and over an over-matched Australian, Bilal Akkawy (20-1-1, 16 KOs) for an overwhelming third-round  stoppage and the WBA’s interim version of the 168-pound belt in the third bout on the Canelo-Jacobs card.
Russian featherweight Avagyan rolls to one-sided scorecard victory
Russian featherweight Aram Avagyan (9-0-1, 4 KOs) scored a second-round knockdown, scored with jabs, scored with combinations and scored with everything else he threw. Over 10 rounds, all of that scoring added up on cards that left Francisco Esparza (9-1-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas with a loss by unanimous decision. Esparza displayed resilience, climbing to his feet in the second with energy, but not much else in a futile attempt to slow down Avagyan in rhe second bout on the Canelo-Jacobs card..
First Bell: Super-middleweight prospect Alex Espino opens show with a one-sided decision
Only echoes filled the arena. That might have been a good thing. Nobody saw the opening fight on a card featured by Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs for the middleweight title Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
Las Vegas super-middleweight Alexis Espino (2-0, 1 KOs), a Robert Garcia-trained prospect, opened the show with a four-round unanimous decision over Billy Wagner  (1-1) of Great Falls, Mont. Wagner was left bloodied in a fight that began without him having any chance.