Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions will bring another exciting night of professional boxing to the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., on July 20, when undefeated Armenian, Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) and Venezuelan, Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) fight in the 10-round main event. The lightweight bout will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation (SHOWTIME® 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
Known for having power in both hands, Hovhannisyan boosts an undefeated record and a great chin as he’s never hit the canvas as a professional or amateur. In his last fight against former world champion, Cristobal Cruz (39-13-3, 23 KOs), an accidental head butt stopped their bout after a cut over Cruz’s right eye was deemed too bad to continue from the referee. Hovhannisyan will look to rebound with a victory and move up the rankings.
“Acosta was on his way to beating Brandon Rios until he ran out of gas,” Hovhannisyan said. “Everyone knows he can fight at the championship level so when I beat him, I too will be considered viable at the championship level. A win against Acosta gets me closer to that world title shot.”
“If Hovhannisyan catches Acosta on that chin it’s good night,” promoter Gary Shaw said. “Acosta is very skilled and has a fun style the fans will enjoy. This is another great fight that SHOWTIME is binging to the fans. Hovhannisyan punches hard and the fans are going to see some fireworks.”
Acosta is a proven warrior that comes to fight every time he steps in the ring. Having victories against three previously undefeated fighters gives Acosta confidence in his ability to come out victorious.
“I’ve been in this situation before, fighting an undefeated fighter with all his fans attending,” Acosta said. “What they don’t realize is that I’m going to spoil the party. Hovhannisyan is a good fighter, but he’s not on that championship level. I’m motivated to end his unbeaten streak. The fans will see great action in this fight.”
Light middleweights headline the eight-round co-main event that feature’s Philadelphia’s unbeaten rising star, Julian “J-Rock” Williams (9-0-1, 4 KOs) against Nevada’s Said El Harrak (10-2, 5 KOs). Williams, known for his great boxing skills, wants to let the fans know he’s the real deal.
“I come to fight every time I step in the ring,” Williams said. “I’m going to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity fighting on ShoBox. I want to thank Gary Shaw for believing in me and I promise to put on a great show.”
The rest of the undercard: Talented undefeated prospect, Roman Morales (10-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., faces Alexis Santiago (11-2-1 5 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., in an eight-round super bantamweight bout; local fan favorite Ruffino Serrano (12-4), of nearby Santa Maria, Calif., will fight for the first-ever Central Coast Title against Seattle’s Rob Diezel (8-4, 3 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight contest; Chumash Resort Casino hometown hero, lightweight Francisco Santana (12-3-1, 6 KOs), of Santa Barbara, Calif., will face an opponent to be announced and undefeated lightweight Jonathan Maicelo (16-0, 9 KOs) and featherweight Roy Tapia (3-0-1, 2 KOs) are also slated to meet opponents to be announced.
Tickets priced $35, $45, $55, $70, and $85 are on sale and can be purchased at the Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.