Headline News

Pedigree #1 – Marutjan points to his superior amateur innings as reason he will beat Meli

Araik Marutjan believes superior amateur experience will help him  register pro victory in an exciting battle of undefeated middleweights this coming Saturday.

The highly thought of and touted German based fighter comes to Belfast to face local operator Alfredo Meli on Saturday’s  #MTKFightNight at Féile an Phobailand says will draw on his impressive amateur pedigree to come through a tough fight.

‘Rayko Loewe’ enjoyed a decorated amateur career before turning pro; winning World Championship bronze and European Championship silver in 2013 – finishing the year ranked third in the world by AIBA.

The Armenian has since registered eight straight wins in the pro ranks and although he is expecting a tough encouther this coming weekend is confident he will move to within one win of double figures this weekend.

“My experience is obviously bigger than his because I had over 150 fights as an amateur. This always helps me.

“I have watched a lot of video of Meli with my coaching staff and we know what to expect because we’ve analysed him.

Melie

“I will keep my strategy to myself and all I can say is that I expect a tough fight but that I will win in the end.

“I’ve had a great camp in Berlin with my coaches Ulli Wegner and George Bramowski. I’ve worked out twice every day for several hours at a time.

“My life has simply been boxing and having lunch, then dinner. That’s fine with me – I have high goals I want to reach.”

Meli vs. Marutjan takes place on a stacked bill in Belfast topped by Michael Conlan’s homecoming against the dangerous Diego Alberto Ruiz.

Also starring on the night is a world-level middleweight clash between Luke Keeler and Luis Arias, a British & Commonwealth welterweight title bout between Paddy Gallagher and Chris Jenkins, Padraig McCrory and Steve Collins Jr contesting the Celtic super-middleweight crown and local stars such as Paddy Barnes and Sean McComb in action.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x