By Jake Donovan - Top Rank’s newly developed Fox Sports series “Top Rank Live?saw several changes in its inaugural episode, including changes in its main event and its co-feature falling through at the eleventh hour.
Through it all, the series managed to jump out to an impressive start, headlined by junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan overcoming a slow start and a late knockdown to take a hard-fought unanimous decision over former titlist Kassim Ouma.
The bout headlined a televised tripleheader, aired live from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Martirosyan, 153 lb, knew going in that the bout would be the toughest test of his young career, but still struggled early to find his rhythm. Ouma, 150, was in his face from the opening bell, fighting with the will and desire of an ex-champion in search of one last great moment, if not a career revival.
The first couple of rounds saw Ouma charging forward, landing several straight lefts, while Martirosyan fought in reverse with the intention of boxing from the outside. Several two-way exchanges ensued, but Martirosyan’s best moments came often in reaction, landing right hands after Ouma was able to score with left hands down the middle. [Click Here To Read More]
Through it all, the series managed to jump out to an impressive start, headlined by junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan overcoming a slow start and a late knockdown to take a hard-fought unanimous decision over former titlist Kassim Ouma.
The bout headlined a televised tripleheader, aired live from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Martirosyan, 153 lb, knew going in that the bout would be the toughest test of his young career, but still struggled early to find his rhythm. Ouma, 150, was in his face from the opening bell, fighting with the will and desire of an ex-champion in search of one last great moment, if not a career revival.
The first couple of rounds saw Ouma charging forward, landing several straight lefts, while Martirosyan fought in reverse with the intention of boxing from the outside. Several two-way exchanges ensued, but Martirosyan’s best moments came often in reaction, landing right hands after Ouma was able to score with left hands down the middle. [Click Here To Read More]
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