Undefeated welterweight Tewa Kiram (38-0. 28 KOs) of Thailand and lightweight contender Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) of San Diego held a media workout Thursday afternoon at the Westside Boxing Club in West LA ahead of their championship bouts taking place next Saturday January 27 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Kiram and Gesta will fight in separate bouts live on HBO Boxing After Dark.
Kiram will take on former interim WBC super lightweight champion Lucas "La Máquina" Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs) in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA welterweight title. Here is what Kiram had to say prior to his workout.
Gesta will square off against WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine world champion Jorge "El Nino De Oro" Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) of Venezuela.
Also present at Thursday media day workout were Armenian welterweight prospect Ferdinand Kerobyan (7-0, 4 KOs) as he takes on Lucius Johnson (4-1-1, 3 KOs), Los Angeles featherweight Tenochtitlan "T-Dog" Nava (7-0, 1 KO) taking on Francisco "El Alacran" Esparza (6-0-1, 2 KOs), and Romero "Ruthless" Duno (15-1, 13 KOs) of the Philippines taking on Yardley Armenta (21-9, 12 KOs) all will be part of the non-televised undercard.
FERDINAND KEROBYAN, Welterweight Prospect:
"My opponent's name is Lucius Johnson, and he's been a pro for a while now. We've done our research, and I'm looking forward to putting a great show for my fans and come out with a great victory. After fighting 7 times in 2017, I'm hoping this year I'll be fighting for a championship belt. I want to get more experience on the way, and with experience I'll be a more complete fighter.
ROMERO "RUTHLESS" DUNO, Super Featherweight Prospect:
"The win against Christian Gonzalez gave me a lot of opportunities. I was immediately signed and now I'm doing better than ever. I will give a good fight on Jan. 27, and we can show the world to never underestimate me. I've prepared well, and I'm ready for the next level and to take on even tougher fights.
TENOCHTITLAN "T-DOG" NAVA, Featherweight Prospect:
"I've been waiting for this fight for some time now. Now only is this a great opportunity to step up, but it's an opportunity to give a great fight between two young, undefeated fighters. Esparza is young and tough, but I came into camp in great shape and I have a smart game plan to beat him.
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