Vanes Martirosyan-Joe Greene Slated For Yankees Stadium

Unbeaten junior middleweight (154 pounds) and former U.S. Olympian, Vanes Martirosyan, of Glendale Calif., will go after his 28th victory without a loss, and his 18th knockout on June 5 when he meets southpaw, Joe Greene, of Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., at the new Yankees Stadium.

The 23-year-old Martirosyan and the 24-year-old Greene (22-0, 14 knockouts) will face each other on the undercard of the junior middleweight main event featuring WBA champion, Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs), of Brooklyn, against Puerto Rico's former, three-time titlist, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), in a clash of 29-year-olds that is being billed as "The Stadium Slugfest."

Foreman-Cotto marks the return of boxing to a Yankees' home stadium for the first time since Sept. 28, 1976, when Muhammed Ali earned a 15-round decision over Ken Norton at the original Yankees' Stadium.

Foreman-Cotto, and, Martirosyan-Green will be televised on HBO's World Championship Boxing series as part of a show promoted by Top Rank.

"We are very proud of Vanes," said Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank. "He is a former U.S.A. Olympian and we have promoted all of his professional bouts. Vanes is undefeated, a terrific fighter, and we are hoping he will soon become a world champion."

Nicknamed, "The Nightmare," Martirosyan passed the biggest test of his career with January's 10-round, unanimous decision victory over Ugandan-born, former world champion, Kassim Ouma (26-7-1, 16 KOs), at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

"I am thrilled, really honored to be one of the first fighters to go onto the field and fight at Yankee Stadium," said Martirosyan. "This will be an historic, exciting night."

A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Martirosyan is being prepared by four-time Trainer Of The Year, Freddie Roach. Martirosyan has stopped four of his past six opponents.

Green, however, is looking to take advantage of the exposer to hand Martirosyan his first loss.

"Ever since I was a little kid I dreamed about fighting on HBO. I am thrilled, and, really honored to be one of the first fighters to go onto the field and fight at Yankee Stadium. This will be an historic, exciting night," said Greene.

"For me to be fighting on HBO in New York, man, it doesn't get any better than this," said Greene. "I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I will not disappoint my team or my fans. On June 5, you will see Joe Greene at his best."

A former amateur standout, Green earned the gold medal at the 2004 National Golden Gloves and the New York Golden Gloves at 165 pounds, as well as the silver medal at the World, under-19 championships the same year.

"Being Bronx born, bred and based, I can't wait to watch Mean Joe Greene at Yankee Stadium," said Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing, Green's promoter. "It will be a fantastic night for Joe, boxing and the Bronx."

Greene's co-promoter is Empire Sports and Entertainment.

"Joe has worked very hard to get this opportunity. To fight at Yankee Stadium on HBO is every New York fighter's dream," said Greg Cohen, CEO of Empire Sports and Entertainment. "This will be his coming out party, and the rest of the world will soon know what his team already does -- that Mean Joe Greene is the best junior middleweight in the world."