ARTEM OGANESYAN

Age: 21
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Weight class: junior middleweight
Height: 5-foot-8½ (174 cm)
Amateur record: 85-3
Turned pro: 2017
Pro record: 12-0 (10 knockouts)
Trainer: Andrey Ivichuk
Manager: Camille Estephan
Promoter: Eye of the Tiger Management
Instagram:@artem_oganesyan001

Best night of pro career and why: Oganesyan is most pleased with a 10-round shutout decision last March.

“The most enjoyable victory is the fight with the undefeated Mexican, Damian Sosa, who was 11-0,” Oganesyan told The Ring through Francois Pratte. “It was for the first belt in [my] professional boxing [career].”

Worst night of pro career and why: The Russian feels each fight has been beneficial to him so far.

“I can’t say because every battle gives me experience,” he said. “In every battle, I learn something. I don’t think I need to tell everyone about my mistakes.”

What’s Next: Oganesyan will face dangerous but fallible Venezuelan puncher Juan Ruiz (26-5, 18 KOs) in Khimki, a city in the northwest of central Moscow, Russia, on Friday. The Russian welcomes the step up in competition.

“This is a good fight,” he said. “We worked hard and will show it on May 21. [My] thoughts [are] only about victory.”

Ruiz turned professional in 2006. He won his first 21 outings, regularly fighting on the road in Panama, Germany, Nicaragua, Mexico and America. Ruiz then went on a 2-5 run, losing against the unbeaten quartet of Alexander Besputin (KO 7), Roberto Arriaza (UD 10), Sergey Lubkovich (RTD 2) and Carlos Adames (KO 3), who sported a combined 46-0 record when they met Ruiz. 

Ruiz showed his power when he upset once-beaten Frederick Lawson (TKO 4). However, he then lost to Alessandro Riguccini (RTD 3). The 34-year-old has since returned with three low-level marking-time wins in Mexico. 

Oganesyan will have to be careful of Ruiz’ power. If he can safely do that and impose himself in the fight he should have youth, size and power on his side to score an impressive win.

Why he’s a prospect: Oganesyan was a highly decorated amateur. He won several Russian junior championships. He was European junior silver medalist. The highlight of his amateur career came when he won gold at the World junior championships in 2015. He was recognized as the best boxer of the tournament and won best youth boxer in 2015.

In the amateur ranks, he beat up-and-coming American prospect Joey Spencer and lost to Willy Hutchinson in the final of the European Junior (U 17) Championships in 2014.

His trainer, Andrey Ivichuk, feels his charge is strong in three key areas.

“Artem has really [good] speed and power,” said Ivichuk. “But his biggest strength is that he works really well in counter attacking [his opponents].”

Camille Estephan, of Eye of the Tiger Management, is extremely hopeful that Oganesyan can go on to become a big name in boxing.

“Artem was a fighter that our GM, Antonin Decarie, had his eye on for a while,” explained Estephan. “We had some excellent scouting reports on him and we knew that there were a lot of suitors for him. When we saw an opening, we jumped all over the chance to sign him.

“He’s a massive talent who’s very serious. I think he will be a world champion, there is no doubt in my mind. He makes me think of a smaller [IBF/WBC light heavyweight titleholder Artur] Beterbiev but he’s so young, so to imagine the upside, is just awesome.”