Young Gun Show At Pomona, With Duenas, Klimov and More

Most fans in the boxing world know that Southern California has more professional boxing cards than any other place in the world, especially now.

Now the world is sending many of its young guns to the hot spot of boxing and they arrive from South America, Eastern Europe and Asia with hopes of grandeur.

On Saturday March 31, Pomona will serve as the customs gate for prizefighters from all over the world. Ricky Duenas, Andrey Klimov, Armen Ovsepyan and Jessie Roman will be participating at Finish Line Sports Bar and Grill. No television.

Young and extremely talented prizefighters eager to showcase their boxing prowess will be performing. It’s one of those boxing cards that should be on television because it’s that good.

One of the headliners will be Duenas (9-1, 3 KOs), who has never fought an amateur fight but has shown a great aptitude for boxing in the ring. With only four years under his belt, Duenas has relied on his quickness, natural guile and southpaw style to win almost every fight.

“Most of my experience comes from the streets,” says Duenas, 29, who held back a little while sparring Derrick Murray last weekend due to the size differential, but exchanged crackerjack blows with Roman. “My goal is to be a contender or a world champion in two years.”

Duenas has already been in some very compelling bouts where his persistence and adaptability has allowed him to be victorious.

Garden Grove’s Roman had a solid amateur background and usually has a size advantage whenever he boxes. As a lightweight he can crack with either hand and also has good speed.

“I’ve learned to fight different styles,” said Roman (9-0, 6 KOs), 20, who recently served as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao last October. “Pacquiao has so much quickness and power and movement. I really learned a lot working with him.”

Russian boxers

Several sparkling Russian prospects are participating on the Pomona fight card including Ovsepyan (12-2, 10 KOs), Alexander Podrezov (3-1) and undefeated lightweight Andrey Klimov (12-0, 7 KOs). If Klimov seems familiar it’s because he recently scored an upset victory at the Home Depot Center a year ago. For more information (323) 866-9943 or (323) 353-3212.

Fights on television

Sat. Azteca, 7 p.m., Kelly Pavlik (37-2) vs. Aaron Jaco (15-2).

Sat. Televisa, 11 p.m., Jorge Linares (31-2) vs. Sergio Thompson (21-2).

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