LIGHTWEIGHT champion Artem Harutyunyan on the line to defend his crown against high-rated Frank Martin in June. More to come.
Artem Harutyunyan (the Olympic bronze medalist in Rio) had retained his WBC International lightweight crown after ten well fought rounds against Humberto Galindo (Mexico). “I’m overjoyed,” beamed undefeated King Artem. Brother Robert was in his corner. The event took place in Hamburg (Germany) last year on June 25th promoted by Universum of Ismail Özen.
Harutyunyan was highly concentrated, working with the leading hand and landing hard punches against a brave challenger. “I had to stay focused from the first second,” said the man from Hamburg. “I knew I had to start calmly, really see movement and, if necessary, take a shot less. Already in the first lap I noticed that he fell for it. He tried to hit every shot hard and with full power.” The Mexican was dropped in round four, after a previous visit to the canvas in round three which was correctly ruled as a slip by good Italian referee Massimo Barrovecchio. “That’s how I know the Mexicans!” Harutyunyan said after the fight. The young father (daughter Amalia is six weeks old) is now planning a few days of rest after his 12th professional victory. After that he wants to get back into the ring as soon as possible.
Artem had won the vacant WBC International Light weight title in a great fight against young and tough Samuel Molina (Spain). Great action fight and dramatic end as young Molina, previously unbeaten, staggered Artem in the fourth and in the fifth but could not get the KO. Seconds later in the fifth, Artem landed a perfect left hook to the chin to score a KO win at 2:31 of the session.
Former WBC International champions in this weight class
Maxi Hughes GB
Devin Haney USA
Hurricane Futa Japan
Vage Sarukhanyan Armenia
Sean DODD Great Britain
Yvan Mendy France
Luke Campbell Great Britain
Dejan Zlaticanin Montenegro
Stephen Wilcox and Michael Gadbois fought a Majority Draw on April 14, 2015 in Toronto for the vacant Silver belt. Silver belt remained vacant
