By Jake Donovan
It didn’t take long for Ferdinand Kerobyan to move past the disappointment of suffering his lone career loss.
Having to brace for the reality of no longer facing an Olympic-level boxer for his next outing however, was a slightly more bitter to swallow.
“I just want to come out here and show that I’m a top prospect, that one loss doesn’t change what I can do in the ring,” Kerobyan (11-1, 6KOs) told BoxingScene.com ahead of Friday’s clash with Daniel Evangelista Jr., a late replacement for injured Oscar Molina. “The chance to face Molina, a 2012 Olympian with that deep amateur pedigree and from a fighting family (twin bother Javier and older brother Carlos are also pro boxers), I was really excited for that fight.”
Molina was forced to withdraw earlier during fight week after suffering an untimely hand injury in withdrawing from Friday’s show, which takes place at Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena, Calif. The bout was to headline a show presented by promoter and Hall of Fame boxer Oscar de la Hoya’s foundation, with the night’s entire proceeds going to charity.
The show goes on, but with Kerobyan—a North Hollywood (Calif.)-based Armenian welterweight—instead facing Mexico’s Evangelista Jr. (20-10-2, 16KOs) in his first fight since a hard-fought loss to unbeaten Blair Cobbs earlier this year.
Kerobyan suffered the unkindest of cuts early in the fight, but still fought back well enough to provide the always entertaining Cobbs with arguably his toughest test to date in also extending him the distance. Friday’s ring appearance was to prove what he can still accomplish as a rising prospect, which can still take place—albeit against an opponent better known for his toughness than his deep amateur background.
“I admit, there was some letdown when I found out (Molina) had to pull out,” Kerobyan admits. “But just like right after my fight (with Cobbs), I got over it quick and realized I just have to keep moving ahead.”
What doesn’t change is his projected career arc moving forward.
“The opponent is different but the game plan is the same,” notes Kerobyan. “Fight my fight, show everyone that I’m a champion in the making and do well enough to hopefully get in at least one more fight this year.
“I’m not one to dwell on the past. The loss to Cobbs is what it is. This fight changing opponents, it is what it is. It won’t change my plans. By this time next year, I plan to be a contender looking for my first world title.”
The bout is part of a six-fight card which will stream live on Golden Boy’s Facebook page, beginning at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT and local time.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox