Harutyunyan primed for Donaire, ShoBox!
January 19, 2006
NABO Superflyweight Champion Kahren Harutyunyan (13-2) seemed destined to use his hands for more delicate tasks than punching someone in the face. Harutyunyan, a native of Armenia, is the son of musicians who inspired him to play the violin at nine years old. Now he's set to exchange blows against Filipino Nonito Donaire (13-1, 8 KOs) at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula in front of a national Showtime audience on Friday night.
It was the dawn of an independent Armenian nation when his father along with many other artists found themselves out of work since the government wasn't prepared to fund the arts. "I played the violin when I was nine. My father decided that I should instead focus more on my academics since he didn't want me to spend all my time studying to be a musician and then not have a job. He also wanted me to get into some kind of athletics and it ended up being boxing since it was one of few sports available to us," said Harutyunyan whose amateur career spanned about seventy fights total in the US and Armenia.
Having moved to the US at the age of fifteen, academics is still playing a major part of the now 23 year old's life. Unlike most professional fighters, Harutyunyan, a former Fightnews.com correspondent, is bent on earning his B.A. in English Literature at UCLA where he expects to graduate in June. From there, his options are various. "My academic career depends a lot on my boxing career. The field is pretty wide open for this degree. I can pursue Law school, there's also public relations and a lot of big companies want an English degree. After I graduate I'll decide which route I'll take. A lot depends on this upcoming fight."
His opponent, Nonito Donaire, of the Philippines is a pretty versatile and hungry fighter that can box as well as bang. Harutyunyan is somewhat familiar with Donaire. "He's a very skilled fighter. We've sparred before. I know he's a slick fighter with good movement and I'm really looking forward to getting in the ring with him. Good fighters bring out the best in me," stated Harutyunyan.
Big time national audiences like the ones the cable networks provide is exactly what young, hungry fighters like Harutyunyan relish. "Expect the best from me because I've had a great training camp and I'm going to do everything in my ability to win the fight. This is the biggest fight of my career due to the exposure. I feel I deserve it. I worked hard for it and I cherish the opportunity."
Friday night's ShoBox: The New Generation is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Ringside Ticket. Tyrone Harris (14-0, 12 KOs) will be taking on Israel Hernandez in the co-feature (11-1-1, 11 KOs). Doors open at 5:15. First bell is at 6:00 p.m.
Former Junior Welterweight champion Vivian Harris will be taking on Marteze Logan in another important under card bout. Three other bouts round out the card.
The event will be hosted inside the Pechanga Grand Ballroom. The doors open at 5:15pm and the first bout is at 6:00pm. Tickets are priced at $85 (ringside), $65 (VIP) or $45 (general admission) and are still available at the box office (951-303-2507). *Tickets are subject to a $5 service charge.
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