NABO Champ Abelyan Extends 3-Year Winning Streak to 12 Bouts

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 24, 2003) – NABO featherweight champion WILLIAM "THE CONQUEROR" ABELYAN earned rave reviews at his 2003 debut last Friday, successfully defending his title via a dominating 12-round unanimous decision against former FEDCENTRO and Mexican National champion, Jose Luis Tula. The judges scored it 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112. The fight, which took place at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC. It can be seen nationally on tape-delay by CSI SPORTS. Check your local listing for "Corona's World Class Championship Boxing" on your local FOX Sports Regional Network.

Abelyan, 24, a southpaw with a 22-4-1 (11 KOs) record, is riding a three-year, 12-bout winning streak, which includes six knockouts. His hot-streak has raised his world ratings to No. 3 in the WBO, No. 6 in the IBF and No. 7 in the WBC.

"William Abelyan, looking a lot like Johnny Tapia in style...dominated the fight...," said Royce Feour, columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, who scored the fight 119-108. Feour noted how Abelyan was constantly landing leap-in left hands and leap-in left-rights. "Abelyan boxed and moved, looking as if he was fighting like Tapia in his movements and mannerisms," continued Feour.

"Harrison, Hamed, Barrera, and Marquez ... bring them all on," boasted Abelyan after his victory. "You are going to see why I am called ‘William The Conqueror.' I am going to storm the division!"

An Armenian native now living in Las Vegas, Abelyan garnered the attention of the boxing world by destroying the WBC's No. 1 contender, Guty Espadas, 34-3, via a unanimous decision, August 5, 2001. Abelyan knocked Espadas down twice in the fight en route to victory with scores of 99-90, 98-90 and 97-90. The most amazing thing was Abelyan took the fight on just four days notice!

Abelyan has followed that epic win with four more victories last year -- a unanimous decision over Jesus Salud, 63-10, knockout victories of Alvin Brown, 17-5, and Orlando Soto, 32-8, the latter was for the NABO featherweight title, and a 10-round decision over Armando Cordoba, 17-8-1. All told, Abelyan's last four opponents had a combined record of 163-36-1, and a winning percentage of 82%! Abelyan's stock has risen with every victory.