Titles within Martirosyan’s reach

GLENDALE — In the buildup to his title fight against Willie Lee on Saturday, undefeated Glendale welterweight Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan been a visible presence around Youngstown, Ohio, appearing at promotional and press events and even conducting a media workout on Tuesday at the gym of Youngstown favorite son and middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik.

But for all the fanfare and sideshows leading up to Saturday, Martirosyan is clearly focused on his ultimate goal — leaving the boxing tradition-rich town with Lee’s North American Boxing Federation super welterweight title, as well as the North American Boxing Organization welterweight belt that will also be up for grabs.

“I’m bringing the titles back to Glendale,” said Martirosyan, who will be getting the first title shot of his career at 6 p.m. PDT Saturday on the undercard of the Pavlik-Miguel Espino world title fight on pay-per-view after amassing a professional record of 25-0 with 16 knockouts.

His opponent Lee (17-5, 11 KOs), of course, has other ideas, and while the 29-year-old southpaw out of Gulfport Miss. said he views Martirosyan as a big challenge, he’s far from intimidated by his unbeaten record.

“I’m very excited about the challenge,” Lee said. “I think I can be the guy to do what others haven’t. I’m better than the guys he’s used to fighting. I think I’m the first real fighter he’s probably fought.”

Martirosyan has been especially effective in his last two outings since reuniting with trainer Freddie Roach, destroying Harrison Cuello in the first round on May 16 and stopping Andrey Tsurkan in the sixth round on June 27.

His nearly six-month layoff included more than one tentative matchup that didn’t materialize, but Martirosyan has had over a month to prepare specifically for Lee.

Lee has fought just three times in the last two years, defeating Alex Bunema to win the vacant NABF title in his last fight on Aug. 22. His previous win came on June 14, 2008 over Clarence Taylor, whom Martirosyan defeated in January of that year.

“Every fighter has a different style, but Freddie looked at the tape of [Lee] and we have a game plan,” Martirosyan said. “I’m in the best shape of my life right now. Every fight I’m just getting better and better and I just can’t wait to hit the guy on Saturday.”

The card is headlined by Pavlik’s defense of his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight titles in Youngstown and Humberto Soto taking on Jesus Chavez in Toluca, Mexico.