BoxingScene.com speaks to 2004 U.S Olympian Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (26-0) about his upcoming fight on January 16th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The fight kicks off Top Rank and Fox Sports Net’s new 36 fight agreement for the coming year. The Glendale, California based fighter of Armenian descent, talks about stepping up in class to fight Kassim Ouma and also gives his thoughts on the Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams fight. As you may recall Martirosyan was on BoxingScene.coma while back calling out Martinez and the two exchanged a war of words. See what else this up and coming junior middleweight has to say in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: How is training going for Kassim Ouma, undoubtedly the biggest fight of your career thus far?
Vanes Martirosyan: Training is going great. I came into camp in good shape because I had just fought a week prior to starting camp (12-19 versus Willie Lee that ended via 3rd round TKO). We just went back to work on Monday and I felt great. We have a good team behind me. For this fight Freddy (Roach) and Alex (Ariza) are also with me. They have been with me since day one and I also have Roman Calatarian helping me. We are in great shape right now. My weight is good and we are good to go.
BoxingScene.com: Were you concerned at all about the lack of time to train for the fight?
Vanes Martirosyan: No because the last fight ended early. We are in good shape and I want to stay active. This is my year. It is good. I want to be one of the first guys to make noise in 2010. This is a good step up for me. Ouma is a good fighter. I respect him. This is a good time for me. When it comes to the fight I am going to take it to him and I know he is going to take it to me. We are both going to put on a good show for everyone.
BoxingScene.com: Ouma is a former champion and as you say is a step up. What made you and your team decide now was the time to step up in class for this fight?
Vanes Martirosyan: I have been asking for a step up for a while but I trust in my team and I trust in my manager Shelly (Finkel) and I trust in my promoter Bob Arum and of course my matchmaker Brad Goodman. They have all done a good job with me and I trust them. I wanted the big fight and they gave it to me so its my time to show the world what I can do.
BoxingScene.com: What are the differences training with Freddy Roach versus Ronnie Shields?
Vanes Martirosyan: With Freddy now he dedicates more time to me. It is more serious now because I am going to be fighting better opponents. Freddy is a great coach. The difference with Freddie is that he brings out the best in me. He is one of the best trainers out there and I am happy to have him on my team. Having him on your team just gives you more confidence. Ronnie Shields is a great trainer. I think that I belong with Freddy. My family is here and he lives here and he brings out the best in me. All respect to Ronnie Shields but I think Freddy is a better fit for me.
BoxingScene.com: What is it like being an up and comer like yourself training alongside champions like Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan?
Vanes Martirosyan: It definitely helps. Amir and I are friends. When Manny sees me he says hello. He always asks me when my fights are. It is great. They made it to the top. Amir and I were in the Olympics together in 2004 when he was representing England. It is a great experience being around champions, especially Manny, watching him train just makes you more hungry. I remember five years ago when I first started at Wild Card (Freddy Roach’s gym) Manny was there training for the first Morales fight. From there to where he is now and see what Freddy can do is amazing. Freddy plus Alex Ariza made Manny so strong in the ring so we got the best team and I am really happy to be working with these guys. It is a blessing.
BoxingScene.com: What is your take on all the talk of Manny being on HGH or steroids when you and Amir also work with Alex Ariza? He said that Manny, Amir and you all take the same supplements.
Vanes Martirosyan: I think its kind of disrespectful to me and to Amir and Manny that they are telling us these things because we work really hard. I see the stuff that Alex gives me. Alex doesn’t give me any of that stuff. It is all natural stuff. I have never failed any drug test and Amir hasn’t either and I know Manny is never going to do it either. It is all the same stuff. It is just disrespectful to all of us because we wake up at 5am and Alex has all this crazy stuff planned for us. When we wake up in the morning we don’t know what we are going to do. He either puts us in a cold pool and has some swim or do all this physical exercise and stuff. He gets creative with his work. It is very disrespectful for people to say that about Manny but at the end of the day when we step in the ring we take care of business. We never fail any drug test. The only thing we can do is win fights and pass all the drug tests they give us.
BoxingScene.com: What exactly are the supplements? Is it a drink you guys take?
Vanes Martirosyan: It is just a regular vitamin that Alex has made. It is regular stuff that you get at nutritional stores.
BoxingScene.com: So its just a vitamin pill?
Vanes Martirosyan: Yeah. It is just a regular vitamin.
BoxingScene.com: You have been vocal about wanting to fight Sergio Martinez. What did you think of his fight with Paul Williams?
Vanes Martirosyan: I think it was a great fight. Sergio did good. He showed a lot of heart. I think he exposed a lot of flaws in Paul Williams. Williams is a great fighter also and those are some guys I would like to fight later on down the road. I know people say its too soon for me and I need to move up in steps but as a fighter you don’t think of stuff like that. I trust my team and I follow them. Whoever they put in front of me I take care of my business. I think it was a great fight and he is a great fighter. I think me and Sergio would be a great fight because we are both boxer punchers and it would be a really great fight for the people to see.
BoxingScene.com: How does it feel to be headlining a fight card in Vegas which is going to be the first fight under Top Rank and Fox Sports new agreement?
Vanes Martirosyan: It feels great. Top Rank is great at what they do and I am happy to be with them. I am looking to resign with them after my contract ends. I think it ends this year. I am looking to be with Top Rank because I think they are the best at what they do. I trust in my team and I love Top Rank. I know they can take me to the promise land after this.
BoxingScene.com: What boxers did you look up to when you were growing up?
Vanes Martirosyan: Growing up we always looked at Muhammed Ali. I really liked De la Hoya and I watched him a lot. I watched Mayweather and Trinidad as well. I would see how the country would follow them. When I was younger I would always want to make people happy. Watching these guys make their whole country proud, they are heroes, like gladiators and I wanted to be just like that.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a prediction for your fight on January 16th?
Vanes Martirosyan: I think that if I box my way and listen to the corner I can stop Ouma. I know a lot of great fighters have faced him and no one has stopped him so it would be a great thing for me if I stop him. I think I am capable of doing that. I am not looking for any knockout or anything like that. I am just going to go out there and do what I do best, box him and listen to my corner. We have a really good game plan. We have A, B and C game plans. All I have to do is listen to Freddy. We work hard and fight easy.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Vanes Martirosyan: For the fans that know me thank you very much for supporting me. For those that don’t know me I guess after January 16th you will know me. It is time to get to know The Nightmare because I am here and this year I am going to make a lot of noise so remember my name.
