Giorgio Petrosyan

Giorgio Petrosyan
Գեվորգ Պետրոսյան
Born Gevorg Petrosyan
December 10, 1985 (1985-12-10) (age 26)
Yerevan, Armenian SSR, USSR
Other names The Doctor, Petro
Nationality Armenian
Italian
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 70 kg (150 lb; 11 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Style Kickboxing, Muay Thai
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Gorizia, Italy
Team Satori Gladiatorium Nemesis
Trainer Alfio Romanut
Years active 2002–present
Kickboxing record
Total 73
Wins 69
By knockout 33
Losses 1
By knockout 0
Draws 2
No contests 1
Other information
Notable relatives Armen Petrosyan (brother)
last updated on: November 12, 2011

Gevorg "Giorgio" Petrosyan (Armenian: Գեվորգ Պետրոսյան; born December 10, 1985) is an Armenian-Italian welterweight kickboxer, fighting out of Satori Gladiatorium in Gorizia, Italy. He is the two time K-1 World MAX champion (2009, 2010) and WKN Intercontinental Middleweight Muay Thai champion. He has been noted for his extremely technical fighting style, and defence which has been described as being "airtight."[1]

Contents

Early life

Born in Yerevan, Armenia as Gevorg Petrosyan, he started to train Muay Thai at the age of 14 when he moved to Italy.[2] He trains at Satori Gladiatorium Nemesis gym under the guidance of Alfio Romanut. He had his first fight at the age of 16.[3]

He lives in Gorizia in Northern Italy since he moved there from Armenia with his family. His younger brother Armen Petrosyan is also a kickboxer.[4]

Career

2002–2006

Petrosyan made his professional debut at the age of sixteen in 2002, and fought exclusively under Muay Thai rules for most of his early career. Some of his notable wins from this era came against Fabio Pinca in 2004 and Shemsi Beqiri, who he defended his MTA European Muay Thai Championship against, in February 2005. On June 25, 2005, he won the WMC Intercontinental Welterweight Championship by defeating Oliver Tchetche by second-round technical knockout in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.

The following year, he won the Italian Extreme IV tournament on April 1. Stopping both opponents with low kicks, he defeated Richard Barnhill in the semi-finals before beating Roel Rink in the final. On June 10, 2006, Petrosyan took the vacant Kombat League Muay Thai World Championship at 66.678kg when he knocked out Benito Caupain with a high kick in the first round of their match in Slovenia. He would go on to defend this title three times before the end of the year; TKOing Johnny Tancray on August 5, KOing Frankie Hudders on September 5, and winning a decision over Imro Main on November 19.

He ended 2006 by winning the eight-man tournament at Janus Fight Night 2006 on December 2. He took a decision win against Cedric Muller in the quarter-finals and knocked out Frane Radnic in the semis, before beating Marco Piqué via unanimous decision in the final.

2007

On January 23, 2007, Petrosyan was handed the first loss of his career when he dropped a decision to Nonthanan Por. Pramuk at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He was able to bounce back, however, recording back-to-back wins over Sadio Cissoko on March 17, and Arslan Magomedov on April 14 at K-1 Italy Oktagon 2007.

Following this, he faced Buakaw Por. Pramuk for the WMC World Super Welterweight Championship on May 19 at K-1 Fighting Network Scandinavian Qualification 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden. After five rounds of fighting, the bout was ruled a draw and Buakaw retained his title.

Petrosyan then went on defeat Abdallah Mabel twice within two months in his next couple of fights, decisioning him on May 26 and then TKOing him on July 27. After a first round knockout of Behrouz Rastagar in the Netherlands on October 13, he entered the Janus Fight Night 2007 tournament (the event he had won a year previously) on November 24. In the quarter-finals, he beat José Reis by unanimous decision. Then, in the semis, he met Abdallah Mabel for the third time in six months and bested the Frenchman once again, winning a decision. In the final, Petrosyan defeated another familiar opponent; Marco Piqué, who he had also faced in the final the previous year.

2008

Petrosyan kicked off 2008 with a decision win over Luis Reis (the brother of José Reis, who he beat months earlier) at the It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy 2008 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands on March 15.

On April 12, he defeated Mikel Colaj by technical knockout in the fifth round at K-1 Italy Oktagon 2008 in Milan, Italy, and then on April 26, he won a unanimous decision over Chris Ngimbi at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam.

Following wins over Cagri Ermis and Rafik Bakkouri in May and June, respectively, Petrosyan didn't fight again until November when he took to the ring twice with in three weeks. On November 8, he beat Naruepol Fairtex by unanimous decision in a non-tournament bout at Janus Fight Night: The Legend. Then, on November 29, he took another decision over Warren Stevelmans at It's Showtime 2008 Eindhoven.

2009

Petrosyan began 2009 by winning the WKN Oriental Rules Intercontinental Welterweight (69.9 kg) Championship when he stopped David Javakhia with a body kick in Turin, Italy on January 31. On March 14, he defeated Andy Souwer via an extra round decision at Oktagon presents: It's Showtime 2009 in Milan, Italy.

After gathering titles and racking up wins against big-name fighters, Petrosyan was invited to compete in the K-1 World MAX, the annual tournament held in Japan featuring the world's best 70kg kickboxers. In the opening round at the K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in Fukuoka on April 21, Petrosyan knocked out Dzhabar Askerov with a knee strike in the third round to qualify for the final eight later in the year.[5]

Following a decision win against Faldir Chahbari at It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam on May 16, Petrosyan faced 2002 and 2003 K-1 World MAX Champion Albert Kraus at the K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Tournament Final 8 in Tokyo on July 13. Petrosyan defeated him soundly, winning a unanimous decision and qualifying for the final four in October.

On October 26 at the K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Tournament Final in Yokohama, Petrosyan faced Yuya Yamamoto in the semi-finals. In round one, he dropped Yamamoto with a left hook but the Japanese fighter was able to return to his feet following the eight count. He was still visibly hurt, however, and Petrosyan knocked him out with a right hook seconds later. Advancing to the final, he met Andy Souwer for the second time. Petrosyan dominated all three rounds, and dropped Souwer with a knee to the body in the second, en route to a unanimous decision victory. Although considered an outsider, Petrosyan had become the 2009 K-1 World MAX Champion.[6]

2010

On January 30, Petrosyan made the first defence of his WKN Oriental Rules Intercontinental Welterweight (69.9 kg) Championship, defeating Mohamed Diaby by TKO in the second round in Turin, Italy.[7] His next match came on March 13 at Oktagon presents: It's Showtime 2010 in Milan, where he beat Kem Sitsongpeenong via unanimous decision. This would be his last bout until October when he returned to the K-1 World MAX.[8]

On October 3 at the K-1 World MAX 2010 in Seoul World Championship Tournament Final 16, he beat tall Belarussian Vitaly Gurkov via unanimous decision to qualify for the final eight a month later.[9]

At the K-1 World MAX 2010 World Championship Tournament Final in Tokyo, he met with Albert Kraus again in the quarter-finals. After soundly beating Kraus on points, he went on to do the same to Mike Zambidis in the semis, picking the short Greek off with counter-strikes. In the final, he faced off against home town fighter Yoshihiro Sato. Although Sato's height and reach advantage caused him some problems, Petrosyan was still able to dominate the match and took the unanimous decision victory to take the K-1 World MAX crown for the second year in-a-row.[10]

2011

On January 29, Petrosyan defeated Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee by unanimous decision at Thai Boxe Mania 2011 in Torino, Italy.[11] Following this, he beat Cosmo Alexandre via decision at the Fight Code: Dragon Series Round 2 in Milan on March 12.[12]

On May 14, he faced Chahid Oulad El Hadj at It's Showtime 2011 Lyon. After dominating the first two rounds, Petrosyan accidentally kicked El Hadj in the groin in round three. El Hadj could not continue and the bout was ruled a no contest.[13]

He then went on to face Hinata Watanabe at REBELS 8 & It's Showtime Japan Countdown-1 in Tokyo on July 18. Petrosyan won another unanimous decision, but broke his hand in the process.[14]

With K-1 experiencing extreme financial difficulties, the K-1 World MAX was not organized in 2011 and the It's Showtime promotion instead put on a high-level 70kg tournament, It's Showtime "Fast & Furious 70MAX", in September. Petrosyan was set to take part in this tournament but his broken hand kept him out of it.[15]

He returned from this injury on November 12 when he took a decision win over local fighter Zeben Díaz at Street Culture, Fight Club Group & Canary Kickboxing Federation presents: It’s Showtime 53 in Tenerife, Spain.[16]

He was then set to face Chris Ngimbi for the It's Showtime 70MAX Championship on December 17 in Amsterdam, but the event was cancelled.[17]

2012

Petrosyan is scheduled to face Abraham Roqueni at Yokkao Extreme 2012 in Milan, Italy on January 21,[18] and then Artur Kyshenko on March 24, also in Milan.[19]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ By the K-1 president Sadaharu Tanikawa, "Petrosyan the new champion : the next victim would be Masato!?", October 27, 2009, K-1 (Japanese)
  2. ^ "Biography « Giorgio Petrosyan", Official website
  3. ^ "Gevorg Petrosyan interview". www.fansofk-1.com. http://www.kickbox.nl/forums/archive/topic/22983-1.html. Retrieved 2008-06-01. 
  4. ^ "[The Real Faces of Fighters] Chapter 2 : Giorgio Petrosyan" by Koji Fuse, October 1, 2010, J Sports (Japanese)
  5. ^ ""Drago Defeats Sato at K-1 World Max Final 16"". K-1 Grand Prix Website. http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/top912.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-02. 
  6. ^ Ray Hui K-1 World Max 2009 Final Results. mmafighting.com. October 26 2009
  7. ^ Ducharme, Brent. (2011-05-13) Giorgio Petrosyan, Buakaw Por. Pramuk, and the Pinnacle of the 70 KG. Division. Headkicklegend.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  8. ^ Kem Sitsongpeenong Returns to Italy!. Thescienceof8limbs.com (2010-03-16). Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  9. ^ K-1 WORLD MAX RESULTS: CURRENT CHAMP PETROSYAN WINS 3 ROUND DECISION. Boxeomundial.net. (2010-03-10) Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  10. ^ Giorgio Petrosyan Dominates K-1 World Max GP. Mmafighting.com (2010-11-08). Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  11. ^ Giorgio Petrosyan met Sudsakorn Sor. Klinmee at Thai Boxe Mania 2011. Headkicklegend.com. (2011-02-13) Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  12. ^ Giorgio Petrosyan performs surgery on Cosmo Alexandre. Liverkick.com. (2011-03-12) Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  13. ^ It’s Showtime: Lyon – Breakdown and Reaction. : (2011-05-15). Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  14. ^ Despite Win Over Hinata, Giorgio Petrosyan Broke His Hand Again. Liverkick.com. (2011-07-24) Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  15. ^ Ducharme, Brent. (2011-07-29) Giorgio Petrosyan Out of It's Showtime Fast and Furious Following Hand Surgery. Headkicklegend.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  16. ^ HyeFighter Giorgio Petrosyan Wins Again. Hyefighters.com (2011-11-12). Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  17. ^ Scalia, Rian. (2011-11-04) It's Showtime Brazilian event in 2012, December 17 event postponed. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  18. ^ Scalia, Rian. (2011-11-17) Giorgio Petrosyan vs Abraham Roqueni set for Yokkao Extreme 2012, January 21. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-03.
  19. ^ Scalia, Rian. (2011-11-26) Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Artur Kyshenko Set For March 24 in Milan. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-03.