Bolstering his career

Dean Juipe

Thursday, March 20, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.

With 11 consecutive victories and without a loss since 2000, William Abelyan feels his boxing career has gained momentum.

Ranked No. 7 by the World Boxing Council and No. 8 by the International Boxing Federation, Abelyan hopes to add to his credentials Friday night at the Aladdin when he faces Jose Luis Tula in a 12-round fight at 126 pounds.

"I want to put on a good show and I feel as if I have something to prove," said Abelyan, who lives in Las Vegas. "I won't say I'll knock this guy out, but I want to punish him. I want to show I'm William the Conqueror."

Now 21-4-1 with 11 knockouts, Abelyan has a new promoter (Gary Shaw) and a desire to face the featherweight division's best.

"I told Johnny Tapia I'd fight him two years ago and he said 'no,' " Abelyan said. "Tapia, (Marco Antonio) Barrera, I'd fight them both in the same day. (Erik) Morales, too."

Abelyan has the good sense to laugh as he makes these boasts, yet he is confident and riding a hot streak that was jump-started by a stunning victory against ex-champ Guty Espadas two years ago.

"I thought I'd have a title fight by now," he said. "I beat Espadas on three days' notice and with a bad shoulder. But boxing's a business and if I keep knocking people out, then something's going to happen."

Tula, 15-7-2, may or may not offer a significant test. Unlike Abelyan -- who has also beaten such notables as Jesus Salud and Alvin Brown -- he does not own a victory against a recognizable opponent.

"He's a boxer but I also have to be careful because he comes at you," Abelyan said of his scouting report. "I'm going to show him why the champions think I'm a tough fighter and someone no one wants to fight.

"I want to have this be the start of a very good year for me."

Also scheduled on the Aladdin card: Israel Perez, 8-1, vs. Urbano Antillon, 8-0, eight rounds, junior lightweights; Daniel Codling, 1-0, vs. Joaquin Zamora, 1-1, four rounds, junior middleweights; Shane Cameron, 1-0, vs. Emanuel Laurents, 1-1, four rounds, heavyweights; Bobby Nava, 3-0, vs. Marlo Cortez, 1-1-1, four rounds, junior welterweights; Nicole Conant, 1-0, vs. Teresa Perozzi, pro debut, four rounds, women, junior middleweights; and heavyweight Bagrat Ohanyan, 4-0, and junior welterweight Zahami Gracia, 1-0, in four-round bouts vs. opponents yet to be determined. First bell is 7 p.m.