Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian retained his WBA World Light Heavyweight title by defeating Australian Kane Watts by KO in the fourth round on Friday at Bercy. It was the first defense of a "super-champion" belt won without a fight by the Frenchman after the pit stop of the former holder, the Russian Denis Lebedev in July. Goulamirian (32), who had not boxed for a year and a success against the Australian Mark Flanagan on October 20, 2018, largely dominated the debates against a 37-year-old opponent, only ranked 11th by the WBA and n having never been in a ring outside his country.
Sent to the carpet in the first and second rounds, Watts (21 wins, 4 losses) ended up giving in the fourth round after a terrible sequence in the body of the Frenchman. Goulamirian remains undefeated in 25 fights (including 17 wins before the limit) and can now hope to face opponents of larger caliber before eventually attacking the world belts of the other three major professional federations (WBC, WBO, IBF). The boxer of Armenian origin is one of the two French to have a world title with Nordine Oubaali, WBC champion of the rooster.
"Conquer at least two more belts next year"
"I wanted to feel the opponent in the first round, feel the ring, find myself at home after 13 months of waiting, I accelerated to 2nd with uppercuts and I found the flaw in the body. I was not trying to knock him out, I wanted to do rounds, touch where I needed and at the right time, "said the Frenchman.
With this success that finally confirms its dominance in the light heavyweight WBA, Goulamirian can now hope to face opponents of larger caliber before eventually attacking the world belts of the other three major professional federations (WBC, WBO , IBF). "What is certain is that I want to win at least two more belts next year," he said after his victory.