News: Provodnikov vs Andrade; Bunting vs O`Brian; Vanes Martirosyan

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (December 28, 2010) – Undefeated contenders DEMETRIUS ANDRADE and RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV will host a Free Public Workout, Next Tuesday! January 4, beginning at Noon PT, at Findlay Toyota, located in the Henderson Auto Mall (7733 Eastgate Rd., Henderson, Nev. 89011.) Joining Andrade and Provodnikov will be their opponents, the Herrera brothers, Mauricio and Alberto..

All four fighters will be featured on Las Vegas’ first nationally-televised boxing event of 2011, Friday, January 7, on ESPN Friday Night Fights, which will be broadcast live, from the Cox Pavilion, on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Andrade (11-0, 8 KOs), of Providence, RI, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, will be facing his stiffest professional challenge when he takes on undefeated prospect Alberto Herrera (7-0-1, 5 KOs), of Riverside, Calif., in an eight-round middleweight bout. In 2007 Andrade captured gold at the World Amateur Championship, the first American to claim that title since 1999.

Provodnikov (17-0, 11 KOs), of Russia, and Mauricio Herrera (15-1, 7 KOs), of Riverside, Calif., will rumble in a 12-round battle for the vacant IBF North American junior welterweight and the WBC International super lightweight.

Promoted by Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions,German Titov/German Titov Box Promotions, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Joe DeGuardia/Star Boxing, remaining tickets to Provodnikov-Herrera / Andrade-Gonzalez, priced at $88 (ringside), $58 (reserved) and $38 (reserved), can be purchased at UNLVTickets.com, 702-739-FANS, and the Cox Pavilion box office.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, with the first fight beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT. The televised fights will start at 7:00 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET)

BUNTING FACES O’ BRIEN IN BATTLE AT THE BOAT 80 MAIN EVENT

TACOMA, Wash. – Lafarrell Bunting will look to continue his knockout streak when he faces once-beaten Matt O’ Brien at the main event of Battle at the Boat 80 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma on Jan. 8, 2011.

Bunting (17-3-1) has won all 17 of his professional fights by knockout with 12 of those KOs coming during the first two rounds; and is coming off an impressive sixth-round TKO victory over Junior Moar on Nov. 13.

One of Bunting’s defeats came against current World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal in 2007 when he dropped a 12-round decision in a bout for the WBO NABO super middleweight crown.

Fighting out of Quesnel, British Columbia, O’ Brien (18-1-0, 7 KOs) has lost just once during his 19-bout professional career. Following a stellar amateur career – which saw him win 10 Golden Glove titles, a Canadian lightweight title, two Western Canada Games titles, and a Western American middleweight title – O’ Brien turned pro in 2001 and proceeded to win his first 17 fights.

The light heavyweight main event is scheduled for 10 rounds.

In the co-main event, Seattle’s Fransisco Reyes (7-1-0, 2 KOs) squares off against unbeaten Robert Vargas (5-0-1) in a lightweight bout.

Also appearing on the undercard will be a bout between Vancouver, Washington welterweight Virgil Green (1-0-0) and Nalo Leal; Seattle super featherweight Rob Diezel (4-2-0) faces Mike Cross, while Kent middleweight Eddie Hunter meets Puyallup’s Nate Smith. .

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the undercard starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office 1-888-831-7655 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information please visit www.halquistproductions.com.

Vanes Martirosyan Training Hard Through The Holidays

While many people are out buying last minute Christmas gifts, undefeated junior middleweight sensation Vanes Martirosyan (28-0 17 KOs) is busy training hard at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

“I had been out of the gym for a little while but I returned last week and it feels great,” said the Armenian prospect.

Martirosyan is looking forward to spending the holidays with family and friends but knows that a return to the ring is imminent and he wants to be ready, “I know I am in the running to fight Cotto in March and I threw my name in the mix to fight Sergio (Martinez). I just want to land a big fight and show the world what I can do.”

While many people schedule their vacations this time of year, the fighter known as “The Nightmare” knows he needs to stay on top of his game.

“Vacations are nice but I am a fighter and this is what I do. I am working hard in the gym because I know I will get a title shot soon,” said the confident Martirosyan.

Within the next couple weeks, Martirosyan’s next opponent should be announced. Vanes Martirosyan and the entire Team Martirosyan family would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

“Merry Christmas to everyone out there. To all the fans, 2011 is going to be a big year. Together we will rise to the top.”