Punch Out in Pomona
Savage War in Pomona as Luis Nery Kos Azat Hovhannisyan
By Uppercut Magazine staff
All Photos by Al Applerose
Mexico’s Luis Nery and Armenia’s Azat Hovhannisyan baptized the city of Pomona into big time boxing with a fierce eye riveting firefight seldom seen anywhere or any time.
Nery (34-1, 26 Kos) emerged the winner by knockout over Hovhannisyan (21-4, 17 Kos) but for 11 rounds it was difficult to separate who would win as the two super bantamweights slugged it out at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Saturday Feb. 18.
It was Golden Boy Promotions first time staging of a boxing card in Pomona. Ironically, it’s the home of Sugar Shane Mosley one of Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya’s main adversaries in his career. More on that later.
The inaugural prizefighting card in the city of Pomona was transfixed by an event that usually only happens in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or New York City. But on this day the suburban city of Pomona became the center of the boxing universe.
Azat "Crazy A" Hovhannisyan enters the battle arena.
Former two-divison world titlist Luis Nery comes in from the smoke.
Nery showed off his speed and accuracy immediately.
Hovhannisyan proved that timing and guts can keep you in the fight.
Nery belted Hovhannisyan with dozens of blows, but Azat stood strong.
Toward the eighth and ninth round Azat began to rally furiously.
Nery had hurt Azat in the 10th and eyed his foe looking to end it.
Nery scored a knockout in the 11th round. The ending stunned the captivated crowd.
Actor Mario Lopez sat next to Oscar "Golden Boy" De La Hoya.
Sugar Shane Mosley Mr. P'Town himself sat in the audience to watch his son fight.
Vasyl Lomachenko has a big fight looming in May. Even he had time to watch the riveting card.
CSAC president Peter Villegas with Dr. Lou Moret.
Shane Mosley Jr. nearly shut out his foe in winning by decision.
Ricardo Sandoval won by body punch knockout.
Hawaii's Asa Stevens battered his way to victory by knockout.
Ukraine's Andrii Novytskyi won his pro debut by KO.
Rowdy Montgomery with team.
