Ouma vs Martirosyan: Will the Dream end the Nightmare?

January 16th, 2010

Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan has torn his way through the light middleweight division since his professional debut in 2005.As a top prospect, he 2004 U.S. Olympian has been looked at as a future world champion. Currently signed by Top Rank Promotions, Martirosyan sports a perfect record of 26-0 and has been showcased on several of boxing’s biggest cards. In his last fight, “The Nightmare” who hails from Glendale, California by way of Armenia, captured the NABF and NABO Light Middleweight title with a third round stoppage over Willie Lee in a PPV co feature, headlined by Kelly Pavlik. On Saturday night, Martirosyan steps out from behind the shadows of the undercards to headline the first card in a new boxing series presented by Top Rank, which is featured three times monthly on Fox Sports/Fox Sports en Espanol.

Looking to end The Nightmare’s run will be former IBF Light Middleweight world champion Kassim “The Dream” Ouma. “The Dream” has literally been a fighter his entire life. Born seventh of thirteen children in a poverty stricken nation, the Ugandan native was forced to join the National Resistance Army at the age of seven. As a member of the Ugandan National Boxing Team that traveled to the United States in 1998, a 19 year old Ouma defected and was granted political asylum from his war torn country. Finally able to live the dream, Ouma began a terror through the boxing world showcasing his talent on ESPN, Showtime and HBO. Over the years, Ouma has won numerous regional titles such as the USBA, WBC Continental Americas, and NABO Light Middleweight titles. Ouma won his only world title, the IBF Light Middleweight, against Verno Phillips in 2004. In 2006, Ouma unsuccessfully attempted a move to the middleweight division, by losing a world title shot to then Pound for Pound top fighter Jermain Taylor.

With a record of 26-6-1, and loser of four of his last five, many believe Ouma is just a stepping stone for Martirosyan. While not looking on his past, Ouma is focused on the fight at hand. His goal is to end “The Nightmare” and continue living “The Dream”.