Philippines, 15 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Art Hovhannisyan to headline ShoBox The New Generation at the Morongo Casino February 22

PhilBoxing.com


ART HOVHANNISYAN RISKS HIS PERFECT RECORD AGAINST ALEJANDRO PEREZ IN MAIN EVENT ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY, FEB. 22, FROM MORONGO CASINO RESORT IN CABAZON, CALIF.

In Clash Of Unbeaten Middleweights in Co-Feature,
Tureano Johnson Faces Willie Fortune Live on SHOWTIME? At 11 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Feb. 5, 2013) - On Friday, Feb. 22, Gary Shaw Productions will present a doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME? (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) that features fighters with a combined record of 59-3-3 with 37 knockouts.

Two of Shaw's top prospects will be featured in each of the fights. His popular, promising super featherweight, Art Hovhannisyan (15-0-2, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., will headline against Alejandro Perez (16-3-1, 11 KOs), of Salinas, Calif., in the 10-round main event at Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, Calif.

The eight-round co-feature that opens the telecast will showcase GSP's Tureano "Reno" Johnson (13-0, 10 KOs), who represented the Bahamas in the 2008 Olympic Games, against fellow unbeaten Willie Fortune (15-0, 7 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., in a middleweight match.

Tickets priced $35 and $55 are on sale at the Morongo Casino Box Office or by calling the Box Office hotline at (951) 755-5391. They are also available by calling Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Doors open on fight night at 5 p.m. The first fight starts at 5:30 p.m.

Shaw is excited about his rising stars and the exposure they will get from appearing on ShoBox.

"The card is going to be really special because it is filled with fresh faces that possess real talent,'' Shaw said. "There are a lot of great fighters in the world and great prospects, but you never get the chance to see them. This show will give fans a chance to really understand that the next star is never too far away. Fighters have different personalities in the ring; they can have similar styles and still perform completely different. This will be a good opportunity for fans to get familiar with two very unique talents.''

The Armenian-born Hovhannisyan, who moved to the United States in 2007, following a stellar amateur career, will look to continue to impress in the pros. He has been in the ring with tough competition such as Miguel Acosta, who Hovhannisyan defeated on an exciting, hard-fought split decision last July 20 on ShoBox, and former world champion Cristobal Cruz.

Hovhannisyan believes he is coming along exceptionally well as he develops his identity in the ring.

"It's a demanding sport with constant obstacles on a daily basis," Hovhannisyan said. "The margin for error is so small that even good fighters that do the right things can slip up in a single instance. I know what is expected of me with every performance and I use my training time wisely. I look at every day as a chance to prove something and I've been proving myself for a long time, I focus on the little battles in camp so that I can be victorious in the battle that takes place in the ring."

The chance to headline an event is always a rewarding feeling, but Hovhannisyan knows that it is extra special when a network takes interests and allows a fighter's abilities to be broadcast around the world.

"I treat every fight with the importance it deserves and I never underestimate my opponents, but this is definitely a little different knowing that fans that wouldn't normally get to see you can through SHOWTIME,'' Hovhannisyan, 31, said. "It's fitting being on SHOWTIME because that's how I feel when I go out there. It will be show time for me and I just know the fans of the sport will be pleased with what I bring to the ring."

Shaw is very confident in Hovhannisyan, the potential he shows and the progress he's made.

"We've matched this kid tough, that's what he's wanted,'' Shaw said. "Art knows what he wants out of boxing; that's an important part of the process because it's not enough to want to be the best. That kind of mentality is vague and it puts you in a constant uphill battle. He's after very specific goals and I believe he is well on his way to achieving his success.''

Perez, 26, has been a pro since August 2004. He has won two of his last three, including a dominant eighth-round knockout over Derrick Wilson in his last start on Feb. 4. 2004. Perez dropped Wilson four times - once each in the second, fourth, fifth and eighth rounds.

Johnson, who turns 29 on Feb. 12, will be making his 2013 debut after fighting nine times last year. A pro since March 2010, the former amateur standout has been on a knockout tear of late, winning five of his last six by stoppage, including his last four in a row. He is coming off a third-round TKO over Jose Mora on Oct. 22, 2012, in the Dominican Republic.

"I don't look for knockouts, but they come to me because I put myself in a position to entertain the crowd,'' Johnson said. "I don't avoid confrontation in the ring, but I'm comfortable enough to trust my hands and let them go. I'm anxious to work. Some people have to go to their jobs that they don't enjoy, but I'm fortunate enough to enjoy what I do. I love every day that I get to lace up my gloves because I know what the possibilities can bring. I enjoy camp. The fight is like the icing on the cake.''

Fortune, 31, hails from a boxing family whose cousin includes Cornelius Bundrage (fighting Ishe Smith on Saturday, Feb. 23 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING?). Fortune will be making his first start outside his native Michigan, where he won the Detroit Golden Gloves in 2008. In his last outing, he registered a second-round TKO over outclassed Shane Geirke on Dec. 28, 2012.

The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif., 92230.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 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.