Busy Friday for Thompson Boxing: Zhora on ShoBox; Dutchover at Ontario

Southern California’s small promotional powerhouse steps forward with a fight card in California and sends a potential contender to Iowa on the same day.

Zhora Hamazaryan (9-0, 6 KOs) meets Thomas Mattice (12-0, 10 KOs) in a crucial battle between undefeated lightweights at WinnaVegas Casino and Resort in Sloan, Iowa on Friday July 20. It will be televised by Showtime.

Hamazaryan, 22, is originally from Armenia where he built up a tremendous amateur resume of 200 bouts and numerous titles. As a professional he recently added the WBO Youth lightweight title.

After meeting California-based boxing manager Harry Kazandjian the young lightweight moved to California to pursue his world championship dreams. The first step takes place on Friday against Mattice.

“I am excited and happy to show my talents on American television,” said Hamazaryan (pictured on the right) who now lives in Los Angeles.

His manager Kazandjian has been in the boxing business for decades and helped guide the careers of standout fighters of the past like Art Simonyan and Hector Lopez. That kind of knowledge and experience also led to connections with boxing promoters.

“We’ve known Harry for a long time and he brought Zhora to us,” said Alex Camponovo, the matchmaker and supervisor for Thompson Boxing. “He fought on one of our cards and did very well.”

Hamazaryan is now co-promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions. This televised fight is very important.

“He needs a win against a very good opponent like Mattice,” said Camponovo. “It’s an even fight but we feel Hamazaryan has enough to pull through.”

Last February, the Armenian prizefighter slugged it out with another undefeated fighter and showed technical prowess and power in winning a clear cut unanimous decision after four rounds.

Against Mattice the two are set to go eight rounds.

Mattice, 27, fights out of Cleveland and has already fought before on Showtime at the same venue.

“He is a slick guy,” Mattice said of the Armenian fighter. “I have seen a couple of rounds on him.  He has decent skills, and I look forward to a good fight.  My job is to defeat him and get the win.”

The winner moves on to bigger and better things. Both fighters know this.

“I am going to get this fight out of the way, and on to bigger fights here in the States,” said Hamazaryan.

Mattice was just as blunt.

“I have to win this fight, and then I can see where I can go from there,” Mattice said.

The ShoBox fight card begins at 10 p.m. ET/ 10 p.m. PT.

Thompson Fight Card

On Friday July 20, while Hamazaryan fights in Iowa, a California fight card features Michael Dutchover (9-0, 6 KOs) versus Sergio Hernandez (5-2, 5 KOs) in an eight round lightweight main event at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.

Dutchover, 20, is originally from Midland, Texas and now trains in Santa Fe Springs, California. For the last 10 years or more it has been a haven and pseudo secret training center for primetime fighters like Petr Petrov, Yonnhy Perez and now Dutchover.

It’s Dutchover’s first main event.

“We see a good future for Dutchover and we just want to keep him busy,” said Camponovo. “He still needs to learn some things and he’s getting there.”

Another bout on the card features undefeated bantamweights. Expect a true battle of roosters with Santa Ana’s Mario Hernandez (6-0, 3 KOs) fighting Riverside’s Jonah Flores (5-0) in a four round affair.

“It could be the fight of the night,” said Camponovo. “You have Orange County versus the Inland Empire.”

Originally both were scheduled to fight others but when their opponents dropped out an offer was made for them to meet.

“Both agreed to it,” said Camponovo. “That’s how all fights should be.”

For more information call (714) 935-0900. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Danny Roman on DAZN

WBA super bantamweight world titlist Danny Roman will be fighting on the streaming system DAZN after his promoter Thompson Boxing Promotions signed an agreement with Matchroom Sport that includes a five-fight deal. DAZN is a new streaming system that will charge almost $10 dollars a month to watch fights.

Roman’s first appearance on DAZN takes place in a Los Angeles fight card hopefully this September.

“We’re very excited to enter this new venture,” said Camponovo. “It’s a new platform and we’re very familiar with streaming. It allows Danny Roman an opportunity to showcase his talent. He’s in a very competitive division and he’s just entering his prime.”

Roman’s last world title defense took place in June as he defeated Moises Flores in a dominating win on Showtime. He won the world title in August 2017 when he knocked out Shun Kubo in the ninth round in Kyoto, Japan. He followed that up with a strong win over Ryo Matsumoto in Tokyo this past February.

Next up for Roman will be Great Britain’s Gavin McDonnell and could be at the StubHub or another local venue.

“It’s a chance for fans here in Los Angeles watch Danny Roman defend his title,” said Camponovo.

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Photo credit: Carlos Baeza

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