Chatting with undefeated rising welterweight Gor Yeritsyan

Undefeated welterweight Gor Yeritsyan, (15-0, 13 KO’s), fresh off another KO victory on June 9, in Commerce, California, is a fighter that is starting to turn heads as he piles up the wins, gets the nod of approval from a Hall of Fame trainer and is displaying the one-two combination of both boxing skills and KO power. He is fighting in boxing’s red-hot welterweight division and could be a fighter that might be tangling for a major belt sooner than later.

Maxboxing recently caught up with the friendly, well-spoken Yerevan, Armenia native from his current home in sunny California to get his thoughts on his recent win, his work at the famed Wild Card Gym, and where he currently sees himself in boxing.

Bill Tibbs: Hi Gor, how are you?

Gor Yeritsyan: Hi, thank you. I’m good. How are you?

BT: You are from Armenia. Tell me about your amateur career there.

GY: I had about 200 amateur fights. I did well as an amateur. 2-time European bronze medalist, and 7-time Armenian champion. I turned pro in 2017 and I have been a pro for 6 years. 

BT: You came out to California in 2019, fought in 2019 and 2020, and then you were off for 2 1/2 years. What happened there?

GY: Well, Covid was a delay, and also I had elbow surgery. But, I got that done, and I’m all healed up now, I feel good and am back now. I just had my first fightback recently.

BT: You had been out of the ring for a while; how did you feel?

GY: I was hungry to fight. (Laughs). I was very anxious to get back in there and was very happy to be back in the ring. It was a good comeback fight. People knew me, the promotion knew me, so it was good.  

BT: How did you end up in California at the Wild Card?

GY: I came out to California with my manager, and I spoke to Marie (at the Wild Card) and asked about sparring. She asked if I was a pro and I said ‘yes’ and I came back the next day to spar. Freddie threw me right in there. Freddie spoke with me after and asked if I had a trainer. I told him I was on my own and so we started working together and he is training me.

BT: Freddie Roach recently said, “I was very happy with Gor’s performance on Friday (June 9). He took care of business. He has developed into a good strong puncher who knows how to land the hard punch. I am very pleased with his progress. Gor is a very talented prospect who should have no problem advancing to contender status”. Some nice words from Freddie.

GY: Freddie is a very good person, a nice man, and a great coach. I like working with him. He is a very kind and good person and anything he tells me to do I just do it. I don’t have to question it. If Freddie tells me to do it, I know it is the right thing. He is a Hall of Fame trainer who has had so many world champions. He shows me how to do something and I do it.      

BT: You recently fought for Tom Loeffler on a “360 Promotions” show. Are you signed with him?

GY: I have fought for Tom before, but I don’t have a contract, but I think we are close to signing one. I think I might even know in the next couple of days.  

BT: What are your greatest strengths as a fighter? You obviously have some power with 13 KOs in 15 fights, (laughs).

GY: (Laughs). Yes, I guess I have some power but that is not what I think about in the ring. Like all Russian boxers, we concentrate on good boxing skills, I want to show a beautiful boxing style. As the rounds go on maybe I get a knockout but that isn’t what I go in the ring thinking. I plan to go 6, 8, and 10 rounds. Whatever it is. But maybe as the fight goes on, the knockout comes.

BT: You are in a very good division in boxing. Any fighters you’d like to face?

GY: The welterweight division has so many great fighters in it. There is a lot of world-class talent. At this time, I don’t have my eye on any particular fighter. But, I will get 1 or 2 more fights in and then I can look for a tough challenge. I just came back with a fight after a long layoff. But I will be ready soon to look at a tough fight. There is a lot of talent in this division.

BT: I’m sure you are anxious to get back in the ring. Any idea when?

GY: I think maybe August. I am working hard every day. I am training hard every day. It is not easy, but I must train hard. Of course, my dream is to fight for a world title one day. I train very hard. I spar with champions, undefeated fighters; anyone. I am working hard every day.

BT: It was great chatting with you. Thanks again, Gor.

GY: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Have a nice evening.