By Alex Fesl: This Saturday, former WBC bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Luis Nery, 33-1 (25 KOs), will be taking on former super bantamweight title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan 21-3 (17 KOs) from the Fox Theater in Pomona, California. This fight is also being billed as a WBC title eliminator in the super bantamweight division.
Nery is on a two-fight win streak since being stopped by Brandon Figueroa in a title unification fight back in 2021. Likewise, Hovhannisyan is on a seven-fight win streak, albeit against limited competition, since losing a very close decision to Rey Vargas in 2018.
Nery is the slight favorite to win this bout, but expect this to be a very explosive and entertaining fight for boxing fans. Both fighters have a crowd-pleasing style, and both fighters possess dynamite knockout power. This fight may be a potential fight of the year candidate.
WHAT TIME IS NERY VS. HOVHANNISYAN?
- Date: Saturday, February 18
- Time: 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GMT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT
- The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
- The fight will take place at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California.
- The main card is set to get underway at 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GMT with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT.
Keys to victory
Hovhannisyan: Look for Hovhannisyan to apply relentless pressure and break down Nery towards the later rounds. Since moving up to super bantamweight, Nery has not looked as powerful as he was at the lower weight classes. Hovhannisyan should look to test Nery’s power and rough Nery up on the inside when he closes the distance.
Nery: Hovhannisyan has never been tested by any power puncher of note. Look for Nery to test Hovhannisyan’s chin with sharp counters in between Hovhannisyan’s wild punches. Hovhannisyan also doesn’t really jab his way in, so look for Nery to beat Hovhannisyan to the punch with his southpaw jab and pivot to the right.
Prediction
This title eliminator match is definitely a toss-up fight. Both fighters possess knockout power and put their punches together well.
I am favoring Nery slightly as I believe he has more options offensively and is able to box and move better than Hovhannisyan. At the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hovhannisyan stops Nery if Nery decides to stay in front of Hovhannisyan.
Final prediction: Nery by split decision
Let me know in the comments section what your prediction is.
Weigh in results:
Luis Nery 122 vs. Azat Hovhannisyan 121.6
Shane Mosley Jr. 167.4 vs. Mario Lozano 165.2
Ricardo Sandoval 111.8 vs. Jerson Ortiz 111.6
Rowdy Montgomery 167.2 vs. Christian Olivas 167.6
NERY VS. HOVHANNISYAN FIGHT CARD
- Luis Nery vs. Azat Hovhannisyan; Super bantamweight
- Shane Mosley Jr vs. Mario Alberto Lozano; Super middleweight
- Dalis Kaleipou vs. Erick Garcia Benitez; Lightweight
- Asa Stevens vs. Cesar Sustaita; Super Bantamweight
- Ricardo Rafael Sandoval vs. Jerson Ortiz; Flyweight
- Rowdy Legend Montgomery vs. Cristian Olivas; Super middleweight
- Andrii Novytskyi vs. TBA; Heavyweight