Vanes Martirosyan: I Think I'd Knock Paul Williams Out

By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com spoke to undefeated junior middleweight prospect Vanes Martirosyan (28-0 17 KOs) about his recent win over Joe Greene in New York on the Cotto-Foreman undercard on June 5.  The Armenian, by way of Glendale, California, talks about his strategy in the fight and also goes over the 10th round knockdown he scored.  The Freddie Roach trained up and comer wants Paul Williams or Miguel Cotto next.  See what else Martirosyan had to say in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Congratulations on your win over Joe Greene.  How do you rate your performance?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  It was a good fight.  The main thing in this fight is that it was a fight where in order to beat Joe Greene I just needed to show up to win.  We showed up and we did what we planned on doing.  With the fight I was trying to be patient and do different things and see how the fight was unfolding.  This was my first time on the big stage with a crowd like that.  Later on when I fight a big fight I will know what is going on.  The fight was good.  I listened to Freddie (Roach).  We had stuff we wanted to do and to work on which we did.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Describe fighting in front of a crowd that was 20,000 plus for the main event.  How did it feel when you stepped in the ring?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  The crowd was big even at the weigh-in and stuff.  It was amazing.  You could tell it was going to be something big.  It kind of reminded me of the Olympics when we walked up the stadium.  It was just so beautiful.  It was a blessing that I happened to be a part of it.  I will never forget it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Did Joe Greene do anything that surprised your or that you had to make an adjustment to?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  I thought he would fight a little more.  In the beginning he started off good and as the fight went on he felt my punches and he started running away.  He changed the game plan.  I wanted to fight but he didn't want to fight.  I think he just gave up and didn't want to fight anymore for some reason.  I think he felt the right hand and that is why he changed his plan.  If he kept coming forward like he did in the beginning I think we would have knocked him out.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Describe the knockdown you scored in the 10th round.

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  I think he was already tired.  I felt after the 6th or 7th round that he was just trying to survive till the end.  That is what I saw because he kept looking up at the clock.  I was trying to finish strong and that is what I always do. I always try to finish strong.  I think I caught him when he was looking up at the clock.  I caught him with a right hand.  It was a glancing blow to the head and he went down.

 

BoxingScene.com:  When we talked prior to this fight you said you wanted Paul Williams.  Prior to that you had mentioned Sergio Martinez.  The 154 lb. division is pretty loaded right now.  Who would you prefer to fight next?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  I would love Cotto.  I would love all of the top guys in the division.  Mainly though I would love Paul Williams.  He hasn't said anything or talked back and his people haven't said anything.  I would really love to fight him.  I know I could beat him and I think I would knock him out. I am ready to fight anybody.  Whoever wants to fight lets do it.  I am looking for big names though.  It is not about the money.  It is about me trying to how good I am.  I know a lot of people are doubting me in the sport.  I want to prove them wrong.  I know I can beat everyone else.  I just want the chance, the opportunity to shine.  The better the people they put me up against the better I am going to look.  That is why I want the best.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Does Freddie feel you are ready to step up against one of those top guys?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  I think so.  Freddie knows the way that I train in the gym.  He knows the way I have been sparring.  He is ready for me to fight anybody.  We are working on a lot of things and I feel that I am ready.  Its hard to learn on the job but so be it.  I really want to step in there and prove that I am the best.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Has your team told you what date they are looking  having you fight next?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  I talked to Brad (Goodman( (Top Rank Matchmaker) this week but nothing is set up yet.  I took two weeks off after this fight and starting on Monday I will be going back to the gym.  I will be ready.  They just need to give me a call, who ever wants to fight, and I will be ready.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Vanes Martirosyan:  Again I want to thank you Ryan for this interview and I want to thank all the fans.  I think I have a lot of fans in New York now after that fight.  Keep supporting me.  I love you guys. We are going to go to the top together.  When I become world champion we will all become world champions together.