On Saturday, February 18, two of the most aggressive, forward-pressing super bantamweight boxers will compete in a 12-round WBC Eliminationator.
Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan, of Los Angeles via Yerevan, Armenia, will face former two-division world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery, 33-1, 25 KOs, of Tijuana, Mexico. The winner of this fight will be one step closer to a coveted opportunity to fight for a world championship. The event, which is being held at Fox Theater Pomona in conjunction with Zanfer Boxing, will be broadcast live on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST.
WHAT TIME IS THE NERY VS. HOVHANNISYAN FIGHT?
Date: Saturday, February 18
Time: 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GMT
Main event ringwalks (approx): 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
The fight will take place at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California.
The main card is set to get underway at 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GMT with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT.
Luis Nery stated, “I am ready for the next challenge and prove once more that I am the best super bantamweight in the world.” Azat Hovhannisyan is a skilled opponent, but I’m ranked number one by the WBC, and if I win this fight, I’ll be ready to fight Stephen Fulton or Murodjon Akhmadaliev so they can’t avoid me anymore. See you on February 18, Luis Nery is committed to staying.
Azat Hovhannisyan stated, “I have a lot of respect for Luis.” He is an extremely talented fighter and a former world champion. I am aware that I will need to do everything in my power to win.
Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, stated, “On February 18, you will see two hungry fighters who have been waiting for their chance at another opportunity to be at the top of their division.” In this title eliminator, Hovhannisyan will demonstrate that he can live up to his moniker of “Crazy A,” pulling out all the stops to defeat Nery and move one step closer to becoming the world champion.
Fernando Beltran, the chief executive officer of Zanfer Boxing, stated, “We are very excited to have Nery back in the United States this February 18.” Luis faces a formidable obstacle in this fight, but he is at the top of his game and has not slowed down his preparation. Nery will undoubtedly demonstrate that he can defeat anyone and that he is one of the best fighters in his division.
Luis Nery is a representation of the tough fighters who have emerged from Tijuana, Mexico. The 28-year-old is a former two-division world champion with a nearly flawless record. His only defeat came in May 2021 against Brandon Figueroa, when he lost his WBA and WBC World Super Bantamweight titles. He has been on a vengeance since then to get back to the top, winning the WBC Silver and WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight titles against Carlos Castro in February 2022 and knocking out David Carmona in the third round in October 2022, respectively.
Azat Hovhannisyan, an Armenian native from Yerevan, has established himself as a respected member of his division through steady advancement. The impressive and aggressive forward style of the 34-year-old “Crazy A” has earned him the respect of the LA fight scene. Except for a solid unanimous decision victory against Jose Santos Gonzalez in July 2021, all of his fights since his attempt to challenge for the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship title against Rey Vargas ended in defeat. Right now, ranked No. 2 by the WBC; 1 by the WBA; 3 by the WBO; and 4 by the 4 by The Ring, Hovhannisyan stands in front of yet another chance to win the world championship.
NERY VS. HOVHANNISYAN FIGHT CARD
Luis Nery vs. Azat Hovhannisyan; Super bantamweight
Shane Mosley Jr vs. Mario Alberto Lozano; Super middleweight
Dalis Kaleipou vs. Erick Garcia Benitez; Lightweight
Asa Stevens vs. Cesar Sustaita; Super Bantamweight
Ricardo Rafael Sandoval vs. Jerson Ortiz; Flyweight
Rowdy Legend Montgomery vs. Cristian Olivas; Super middleweight
Andrii Novytskyi vs. TBA; Heavyweight
