Connect with us

Articles of 2006

The Glass is Half Full for Harutyunyan

Published

on

Finally!

What passed for a grin flickered on Kahren Harutyunyan’s face. I’d just said, “You know what’s the matter with you: The glass is always half empty.”

Harutyunyan’s a jockey-sized bantamweight, with dark, wary eyes, gulag stubble for hair, a permanent six-o’clock shadow, and a monument to Armenia in the center of his face. His expression reads, “I know it’s bad news.”

I’ve watched champions, contenders, trainers, managers and promoters – tough critics –lean into the ring apron at the Wild Card Gym to catch the 24-year-old spar. Nothing but nods of approval for his hand speed, feints, counters and ring generalship.

No sign of recognition from him – beyond stoic. Makes Gary Cooper look an extravert.

After a sparring session, Harutyunyan crossed the ring – eyes always downcast – touched gloves with the spar mate, exited the ring and disappeared into the swirl of activity – no high-fives. If anybody patted him on the back – pumped him up – he just nodded, without expression, intent on floor exercises.

Compliments are an anathema; discipline’s the thing– keeping it in perspective. Keepin’ it real…In the ring and life.  He doesn’t suffer fools easily – not with James Toney bluster, just a shift of his eyes. The fair-weather, he doesn’t snap at – just listens. It’s how he was raised: polite…respectful.

His dad’s frequently at the gym. One of his few confidents. He’s the Ying to Kahren’s Yang – always a smile. If Norman Rockwell cast Gepetto, he’d be a shoe-in.

Harutyunyan trains in L.A, but in the seven years he’s been here, he’s never gone Hollywood – learned the word frivolous. He’s a semester from a BA at UCLA; his taste runs to classics, not hip-hop, and the moment he leaves the gym, he races to his internship on ESPN2-Hollywood.

His values haven’t changed since he left Yerevan. The rest is babble. Only when he speaks of his boyhood – his friends – does the cloud lift, his speech animates.

For all of his work ethic and precision in the ring, his record gives no hint: 13 wins, two losses – one a TKO – three draws and no KOs. But everybody at Wild Card knows the stats don’t tell the story. It’s age-old: No-choice fights at the last minute; the other guy’s back yard; much heavier men; a cut that erases a sure win… blah blah blah. Caveats don’t change BoxRec.

But, Harutyunyan put it all together last April at the Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello, Cal. – thanks to Freddie Roach’s game-plan and the torturous demands of OZ conditioner, Justin Fortune – he masterfully boxed – never treaded water – and controlled the ring all 12 rounds, wobbling Tatsuo Hayashida several times, shocking him with a straight right, almost knocking him out in the third round, to win the vacant WBO Super Flyweight title.

Once again, Harutyunyan’s faithful rushed the ring. He was the eye of the hurricane. With a championship belt girdling his middle, he left the ring as if going to a dental appointment, while delirious celebrants jumped and danced, waving the Armenian flag, trying to get close enough to congratulate him. If he were any more thrilled, he’d have gotten out a restraining order.

Same scenario played out in all his fights. He keeps a tight rein. “I don’t know when it will be I do something insane. It’s my personality,” Kahren explains.

Though only a 1000 people saw the non-televised show, the gym buzz made it clear what quality boxer he is.

So, just as the Wild Card boxers – and most of Glendale – have supported him in Irvine, Fresno, Bakersfield, Del Mar, they’ll be out in full force tonight at the ShoBox: The New Generation card at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. to cheer him in the main event against Nonito “Flash” Donaire, for the vacant NABF Super Fly title.

Depend on a decibel level that’ll cause tremors in Armenia, and semaphored banners of red blue and orange whenever the camera’s near.

This is not a coronation for Harutyunyan, Donaire’s more than a live opponent. Off his record, he should be the favorite. He’s taller, busier, a distinguished amateur, 13-1 as a pro, with eight KOs, four in less than two rounds. The guy can fight.

“This is a very exciting opportunity to showcase my ability worldwide,” Kahren says, uncharacteristically.

It sounds like the glass is half full.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles7 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles5 hours ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles3 days ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles5 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles7 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending