Philippines, 14 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MARTIROSYAN UPPENDS OUMA; BENAVIDEZ MAKES IMPRESSIVE PRO DEBUT


PhilBoxing.com




Undefeated super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan won a close ten round decision in an action-packed bout against former champion Kassim Ouma at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday morning, Manila Time.

Martirosyan figured in the main event in the inaugural telecast of a new series “Top Rank Live” on the Fox Sports Network and the fight was worth its billing.

Ouma was the aggressor in the middle rounds in particular, coming forward and throwing solid right hands but Martirosyan who is trained by the celebrated Freddie Roach with Alex Ariza serving as conditioning expert connected with some telling counter punches.

The young Armenian clearly faced the toughest fight of his career and suffered a flash knockdown in the 9th round after Ouma picked up the pace of the fight following the sixth round.

However, a big tenth round by Martirosyan sealed the deal with all three judges scoring the fight and helping Martirosyan maintain his unbeaten streak and retain his North American Boxing Federation and North American Boxing Organization belts.

Two of the judges had Martirosyan winning 97-93 while the third judge had the Armenian who fights out of the Wild Card Gym ahead 97-92 which raised quite a few questions considering the fight that the Ugandan Ouma gave Martirosyan including the knockdown.

BENAVIDEZ WINS

Top photo: Vanes 'Nightmare' Martirosyan wins a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Kassim Ouma to remain undefeated and retain his NABF/NABO belts on the premiere of "Top Rank Live" on Fox Sports Net from The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.


Standout amateur fighter Jose Benavidez(L) knocks out Steven Cox in the first round to win his pro debut on the premiere of "Top Rank Live" on Fox Sports Net from The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank.


Outstanding amateur Jose Benavidez made an impressive pro debut with a 1st round knockout over Stephen Cox (1-1-, 1 KO) in a scheduled four round super lightweight bout at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Benavidez who is the reigning National Golden Gloves champion had no problem adjusting to the pro ranks and used his jab effectively to set Cox up before catching him with his power shots.

Benavidez’ first knockdown of his career came less than a minute into the opening round as he caught Cox with a left hook on the temple.

Although Cox beat the eight count he continued to absorbed more punishment before a vicious a body shot and left hook trapped Cox in a corner prompting referee Kenny Bayless to stop the contest at 1:21 of the first round.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Chavez brothers to return on April 25
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.