Media Day in L.A. for the Jan. 27 Fight Card at The Forum

LOS ANGELES-Ferdinand Kerobyan can’t wait to step inside the boxing ring at the Inglewood Forum. It’s been 13 years in the making for this upcoming moment.

“It’s just a dream come true,” said North Hollywood’s Kerobyan (pictured) who has been preparing for more than a decade to fight on a major fight card.

Welterweight prospect Kerobyan is part of several tightly matched prize fights that take place at the Forum on Jan. 27. The Golden Boy Promotions card will be televised by HBO and feature two world title bouts.

One of two main events features Thailand’s Tewa Kiram (38-0, 28 KOs), a tall welterweight, challenging Argentina’s Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs) for the vacant WBA world title. Each can bang.

“I have a plan all set,” said Kiram while at the Westside Boxing Club in West L.A. on Thursday. “My trainers have studied him.”

There’s very little margin for error between these two hard-hitters.

In the co-main event Mercito Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) challenges WBA lightweight titlist Jorge Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) for the world title. The quick-handed southpaw Gesta now trains with Freddie Roach. Ironically, Linares formerly trained with Roach.

“Working with Freddie Roach is such an honor,” said Gesta whose only loss was years ago. “We’re working hard to get the win.”

Gesta hopes the second time is the charm in this second world title opportunity.

Prelims

The undercard is stacked with sterling prospects just itching to prove they belong.

Kerobyan (7-0, 4 KOs) meets Lucius Johnson (4-1-1, 3 KOs) in a six round clash. It’s one of many closely matched bouts that can go either way. But these prospects all want that chance to move forward.

“It’s great to fight in a place like the Forum,” said Kerobyan. “All my family and friends are going to be happy to see me fight.”

Though he’s matched tough, he would have it no other way.

You always want to take advantage if you have what it takes,” he said.

An eight-round contest between undefeated featherweights Tenochtitlan Nava (7-0) and Francisco Esparza (6-0-1) looks like another close bout. Nava trains in West L.A. and Esparza trains in Las Vegas with former great Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas.

Another interesting bout sees Filipino slugger Romero Duro (15-1, 13 KOs) meeting Yardley Armenta (21-9, 12 KOs) in a lightweight fight set for eight rounds. Duro can bang with the best of them. His knockout of Cristian “Chimpa” Gonzalez was a scary affair. Gonzalez recovered but it took more than 10 minutes for him to shake off that jackhammer right cross he absorbed from Duro.

It’s a “don’t blink” kind of fight card.

Tickets

Ticket prices begin at a mere $10 and are capped at $100. It’s a very good fight card that promises to be riveting. For more information call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or go to the web site www.fabulousforum.com

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