Russian born, Israeli raised heavyweight prospect
Roman Greenberg (18-0, 13 KOs) fights Saturday night in Las Vegas for the
second time in his young career and he appreciates the significance of
headlining in the modern-day Mecca of Boxing.
“It’s great,” Greenberg remarked about fighting in Las Vegas. “I’ve fought
here once before, but this time it’s in the main event, and I can’t wait. I
don’t feel any pressure fighting here, just excitement because this is the
place – Las Vegas. I always take it one fight at a time, but this is serious
because it’s the main event here.
Saturday night’s show is promoted by Guilty Boxing in association with Fight
Academy, INFOX Box Promotion, World Sports Promotions, BMI Airlines and
Plaza Hotel & Casino.
The 6-3 Greenberg, 23, is matched against Josh “The Griz” Gutcher (17-3, 13
KOs), of Des Moines, in the 10-round main event. Roman’s most significant
win was against Julius Francis (WDEC10, December 10, 2004), who beat the man
(Danny Williams) who beat the man (Mike Tyson). Another Greenberg victim
(TKO3) was Troy Beets, who later captured the IBA Americas cruiserweight
title
and lost a 10-round decision in his last bout to former IBF title-holder
Vissiliy Jirov.
Roman, rated No. 18 by the European Boxing Union, is a unique fighter who
speaks four languages – Russian, Hebrew, German and English – and Israeli
Army veteran. He started boxing at the age of 11 in Haifa, Israel, posting a
47-5 amateur record, including a silver medal performance in the 2000 World
Junior Championships.
“My overall ability is good,” Roman self evaluated himself. “But being a
young heavyweight, I still have to mature and get stronger. My trainer, Jim
Evans, says I need maturity to fight bigger and older guys. I think he’s
right.”
Greenberg has fought three times in Miami and once in New York City. His
Jewish supporters in the United States have made him comfortable fighting so
far away from his home in Finchley, England. “I just go out there and do my
job,” he commented, “but my Jewish fans have really supported me, especially
in Miami. It’s nice to know people are out there supporting me. The United
States is the place for boxing and it’s important for me to impress people
here, especially promoters and television networks. It’s so important that I
do my best Saturday night.”
Ukrainian light heavyweight champion Yuri Barash’yan (16-2, 11 KOs), rated
No. 15 by the EBU, tangles with upset-minded Jesus Ruiz (18-4, 16 KOs) in
an entertaining 10-round co-feature.
Six-round undercard bouts include Ukrainian light heavyweight Viatcheslav
Uzelkov (3-0, 3 KOs) versus Jonathon Embry (2-1, 1 KO), of Los Angeles;
Ukrainian super middleweight Viktor Zinoviev (3-0, 3 KOs) against Moses
Matovu (2-4-1, 1 KO), of Las Vegas; welterweight George Bjania (1-0, 1 KO),
of Los Angeles, takes on Jean Elissa (2-2-1, 1 KO), of Fresno. In four-round
supporting matches, super bantamweight Larry Olvera (5-4-1, 4 KOs) faces
TBA, while welterweight Alex Arbola (1-1) meets Manuel Garcia (0-0-1).
Tickets are priced at $40 and $25. The first bout starts at 7 PM. Call
630.258.8249 for more information.
Saturday evening’s show, featuring Greenberg-Gutcher, will be streamed on
Secondsout.com (subscription basis required), as well as broadcast on
Eurosport Television throughout Europe and Ukranian Television.
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press
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