‘New’ Nightmare stops Wallace

GLENDALE — Any questions as to whether Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan would sustain his unbeaten pace following a switch in trainers were quickly put to rest Thursday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas — in 94 seconds, to be exact.

In his debut under new trainer Ronnie Shields, Martirosyan, a former Olympian under contract with Top Rank Boxing, improved to 17-0 with 12 knockouts with a knockout of Dan Wallace (9-3, 3 KOs) 1:34 into the first round of a super welterweight bout televised live on the Versus Network.

“Its a new Vanes,” the 21-year old Glendale resident said. “I’m more aggressive, with more combinations, more jabs, more speed, more of everything.”

Martirosyan was clearly the aggressor Thursday, using his jab to take control of the fight.

Early in the first round, he countered a lazy jab by Wallace with an overhand right that wobbled his opponent.

“From then on, I was calm,” Martirosyan said. “I was using my jab and threw some combinations to the body and head.”

Another strong right hand moments later hurt Wallace again.

“He was just holding on [at that point],” Martirosyan said.

Martirosyan then delivered the knockout punch — a right cross that caught a retreating Wallace flush in the temple.

Wallace beat the 10 count, but was out on his feet and unable to continue.

“The key to this fight was for me to develop a good jab, and that’s what we’ve been working on in the gym,” Martirosyan said. “I can throw a lot of punches now, be able to throw more combinations and let my hands go.”

Martirosyan, who was formerly trained by Freddie Roach, is now training in Houston for a Jan. 4 bout in Los Angeles against an opponent to be named.

Also in the works is a March card in the Glendale area that would feature Martirosyan in his first-ever main event.

“That feels great,” he said. “Especially since it’s going to be in my hometown where a lot of my fans are — they get to come out and see “The Nightmare.”