BANNER SIGNS FIVE PROSPECTS
07.01 - Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo has signed five young prospects to promotional contracts. He said today, "We're very excited at Banner to bring in so much new boxing talent. I think all five of these young fighters have the potential to progress very quickly and be very successful. I plan to feature them all on the undercard of Acelino Freitas' next fight, which will be televised on Showtime on March 15. I think they all have the potential to become world champions."
ART SIMONYAN
Record: 11-0-1, 6 KOs - Age: 27 (12-27-75) - Residence: Glendale, California - Birthplace: Yerevan, Armenia - Height: 5'7" - Manager: Harry Kazandjian - Trainer: John Bray
A 126-pound prospect, Art is coming off the biggest win of his two-year career, a TKO victory against former world title challenger Radford Beasley (22-1). The fight was televised on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights on December 13. It was a big step up in class of opposition for Art, and the opportunity came on short notice - and Art rose to the occasion. He gave a strong effort, wore down Beasley, and stopped him after the seventh round.
VALDEMIR "Sertao" PEREIRA
Record: 12-0, 10 KO - Age: 28 (11-15-74) - Residence: Sao Caetano Do Sul, Brazil - Birthplace: Cruz Das Almas, Brazil - Height: 5'5" - Manager: Servilio De Oliveira - Trainer: Ivan Patricio Chalot de Oliveira
Featherweight prospect Pereira is a former three-time Brazilian National amateur champion, and currently holds the Bahia State featherweight title.
JULIANO RAMOS
Record: 9-0, 8 KO - Age: 23 (11-2-79) - Residence: Sao Caetano Do Sul, Brazil - Birthplace: Sorocaba, Brazil- Height: 5'5" - Manager: Servilio De Oliveira - Trainer: Ivan Patricio Chalot de Oliveira
A 140-pound prospect, Juliano made his U.S. debut on December 13. He is a former two-time Brazilian National amateur champion, and made his professional debut in May, 2001.
LAUDELINO "Lino" BARROS
Record: 15-0, 14 KOs - Age: 26 (6-29-76) - Residence: Sao Paulo, Brazil - Birthplace: Bonito, Brazil - Height: 6'1" - Manager: Johnny Reetz - Trainer: Sidney Gomes
A hard-hitting prospect at 175 pounds, Lino made his professional debut in March, 2001, and has stayed active and impressive in the ring. He is a former Brazilian national amateur champion and was a member of Brazil's 2000 Olympic team in Sydney, Australia.
SAAK SAAKYAN
Record: 3-0-1, 2 KOs - Age: 19 (12-12-83) - Residence: Van Nuys, California - Birthplace: Yerevan, Armenia - Height: 6'1" - Manager: Harry Kazandjian - Trainer: John Bray
Barely 19 years old, Saak is a future talent at 175 pounds. A native of Armenia, he grew up in southern California, where he had an extensive and successful amateur career.
