#APB Armen Zakaryan (64kg), APB World Champion: “Artem Harutyunyan and Abdelkadir Chadi have performed impressively and I look forward to facing one of them in the ring”

APB Belt Champion#APB 

This weekend in Italy, four Light Welterweights will compete as they begin their ascent to a possible future clash with the Champion, Armen Zakaryan.

Artem Harutyunyan (GER) vs Evaldas Petrauskas (LIT) and Carlos Aquino (ARG) vs Abdelkader Chadi (ALG) are the scheduled matches, with the winners of both bouts then meeting in APB Cycle I Round 2 to determine who will face Armen Zakaryan in Cycle 3.

Armen Zakaryan has been one of the most exciting and successful boxers in AIBA Pro Boxing (APB, and the Russian Light Welterweight (64 kg) Champion has a perfect 4-0 record in the competition.

Two outstanding victories over Artem Harutyunyan established the 25-year-old as a dominant athlete, with the 2013 European Champion producing a wide variety of shots on both occasions to defeat his German opponent.

With the world keenly watching the Light Welterweight division on Saturday night, APB caught up with Armen Zakaryan to talk about his season so far, and plans for the future.

First of all, congratulations for becoming APB World Champion. How do you feel about your achievement?

Thank you, it was a tough four month period for me with a lot of training and concentration. There were big hopes for me, and I am glad to bring my victory over Artem Harutyunyan to our federation.

Your performances in the Pre-Ranking and Ranking phase was simply amazing. You won three bouts by unanimous decision, and one by WO. What do you think your best victory was?

I enjoyed all three bouts, especially my victory over Vycheslav Kyslytsyn in the Pre-Ranking Phase, and the interesting final against Artem Harutyunyan. Considering our first bout with him back in November, the final was even more important to win.

Did you feel comfortable fighting over the six and eight round distance? What did you change in your training to be able to adapt to fighting more rounds?

I definitely changed my training. During training we can have 12 and 15 rounds, but that comes with a free working atmosphere. My first time in APB with 6 rounds was tiring, especially the last two rounds. I tried to save energy during the 5th round to give a better performance in the 6th.

APB 64 kg Cycle I Round 1 kicks off this weekend in Italy. What do you think about your future opponents? Who is the most dangerous rival that you could face when you defend your Title?

All of the boxers are good. Artem Harutyunyan and Abdelkadir Chadi have performed impressively and I look forward to facing one of them in the ring.

Are you going to watch the fights to prepare for the upcoming Title defense?

I will start watching bouts from June 27th in between my training.

Your first Word Title defense will probably take place in September. How are your preparations going for that fight?

I just arrived to a Tsaghkadzor mountain training camp yesterday. I’m going to spend three weeks here working on my physical shape with the Russian national team. After that, I am coming back to Novosibirsk to continue training with my coaches.

You won your belt at home, but the country where the APB Cycle I World Title Bout will take place has not yet been confirmed. Do you have any preference for where you will fight?

I would prefer to defend at home, but the location doesn’t influence my performance.

Meet the World Champion

When and why did you start boxing?

At around eight or nine-years-old as my older brother introduced me to boxing.

Why do you love boxing?

It is what I am. I have been doing it for 17 years now, and I really love it.

Who is your idol? And who is your favorite boxer?

It is hard to say. When I was younger I admired Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Now I could outline Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Vasyl Lomachenko.

How do you see your future after boxing?

Right now I am fully concentrated on Olympic Games. But of course I also want to continue with my other passion – I’m a dentist and I want to pass my last exam before September.

Are you married? Do you have any children?

No, I am single.

What is your overall dream in life? And what is your worst fear?

Right now it is winning the Olympic Games, I am fully focused on it. As for fears, I don’t concentrate on them, but losing someone close to me is definitely the most frightening.

Quick questions to the champ:

• AIBA Pro Boxing is… Professionalism
• Boxing in Russia is…  Strong competition
• Favorite food is…Well-cooked shashlik
• Favorite drink is… Kampot or lemonade
• Your favorite punch is… Liver shot/ cross