"I just want to fight and I want to fight a guy they say is the best...I even said I would move up and fight Pavlik or Felix Sturm if he wants. I'll fight anyone, 154 or 160. I will move up and fight anybody if the fight is right and the fighter wants to fight. Nowadays, these guys are just talk and pretend to want to fight the best. I was calling out Paul Williams. Everybody is saying he is the most feared fighter in the game, and this and that, so I called him out and he didn't even want to fight. I don't know what to do. I think I may have to go up to one of these fighters and slap them in their face or something... I can't even spar with Manny now. I really wanted to spar with him because I think I would've been the first one to drop him because everyone is like, 'Drop Manny this and that.' I don't think Manny can take my power if we spar with each other or fight. I think I would do real good with him. (Laughs) Not even sparring is happening right now for me," stated jr. middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan, who sounded somewhat frustrated with the fact that he has yet to get the big fights that he's hoping for. Check out what else he had to say.
EB: How you been doing?
VM: I've been doing good; just taking care of the gym and just training on my own. I've been sparring a little bit, but it's not the same without Freddie and Alex. But I've been doing my thing. I sparred 12 rounds last week and 10 rounds this week.
EB: That's good. Congratulations on your new gym.
VM: Thank you. Well, I got the gym because I always wanted a gym and it's in my hometown. Everything was right, so I just took over and bought the gym. I got all of these kids. I always wanted to give back to the community and do something nice for it. I'm happy I could do it and show my talents and help kids grow.
EB: That's good; glad you could do something positive like that. So when is your next fight? I had heard something about December, but I wasn't sure.
VM: I have no idea either. No one has said anything yet. I know I'm fighting in December and I'm just training like always, you know. With or without a fight, I always train, but hopefully I fight soon because that is what I am looking for. I want to fight the big names and I want to do what I do best. You know, I'm actually getting kind of bored with boxing. Its crazy, you know, when you have a fight coming up, it's awesome knowing you have something. Your mind is prepared for that fight and you know what you are training for. But now, I'm training, training, training, and they're like, "You are going to fight," but when? I mean, I got real excited when they said I would have the Cotto fight. Then Cotto didn't want to fight the rest of the year and I was like, "Dang, that sucks." I just call out all these names and no one wants to fight, so I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what Top Rank is doing, but I'm sure they are planning something for me.
EB: So you are going to fight in December, but not sure against who?
VM: It looks like December 18 will be the date I fight next. They're talking about Pawel Wolak, so I don't know if he is going to fight. I'm not sure if he is going to fight. They offered him to fight me a couple of times and he rejected it. I don't know what's going on, but I feel his pain too. They keep offering him fights and canceling fights; same thing with me. You know, maybe we can fight each other (laughs).
EB: So who do you want to fight right now? A lot of names have been brought up, such as Cotto, as you mentioned earlier.
VM: You know, to be honest with you, I may not be the best and they may say, "Vanes is not the best," but I'm willing to fight the best. If I'm not that good, then why don't these guys beat me? I want to fight everybody, whether it's Cotto or Dzinziruk; anybody out there. I'll even fight [James] Kirkland. I heard he is coming back. After a few fights back, I'll fight him. It doesn't matter who the guy is. I just want to fight and I want to fight a guy they say is the best.
EB: I know you are both with Top Rank, but have they thought about putting you in with Yuri Foreman when he comes back?
VM: (Laughs) Yuri Foreman does not want to fight me. Trust me. I don't even think they want to think of that fight. I would murder Yuri Foreman (laughs). I want any fight though. I even said I would move up and fight Pavlik or Felix Sturm if he wants. I'll fight anyone, 154 or 160. I will move up and fight anybody if the fight is right and the fighter wants to fight. Nowadays, these guys are just talk and pretend to want to fight the best. I was calling out Paul Williams. Everybody is saying he is the most feared fighter in the game, and this and that, so I called him out and he didn't even want to fight. I don't know what to do. I think I may have to go up to one of these fighters and slap them in their face or something. I don't know (laughs).
EB: (Laughs) That would definitely start a fight, but it won't be for money. It would be a free fight then.
VM: (Laughs) Well, I don't know what I got to do to get these guys in the ring. I guess just piss them off or something. I'm good to go and I'm ready.
EB: Where are you ranked by all the sanctioning bodies?
VM: Well, I'm ranked #3 by the WBO, I'm ranked #5 by the WBA and IBF, and #6 by the WBC. I think I'm the only fighter that is ranked by all the sanctioning bodies and I still can't get any fights. I don't see how Margarito can take a year suspension and comes back and gets ranked #1 by the WBC. Now he is fighting Pacquiao.
EB: Yeah, I don't know what to say on that one either.
VM: (Laughs) He puts plaster in his hands, gets suspended and comes back and gets ranked #1 in the world.
EB: Yeah, I stay out of the sanctioning bodies' business. I just take it how it comes.
VM: Yeah, I can't even spar with Manny now. I really wanted to spar with him because I think I would've been the first one to drop him because everyone is like, "Drop Manny this and that." I don't think Manny can take my power if we spar with each other or fight. I think I would do real good with him. (Laughs) Not even sparring is happening right now for me.
EB: Yeah, that's a good point because you released a statement saying you would be the first to knock Manny down.
VM: I thought I was supposed to be in the Philippines now, but I guess that's not what Freddie wants. Freddie just wants to do what Freddie wants to do. I mean, Freddie knows what he is doing and I respect him. It's all love.
EB: Are they going to bring you to Wild Card when Manny comes back to the U.S.?
VM: I hope so. I really want to, but we will see what he [Freddie Roach] says.
EB: Anything else you want to say to your fans?
VM: I want to thank you for taking the time to call me. To my fans, you can follow me at Facebook or at twitter.com/vanesboxing.