Martirosyan’s return is brief

GLENDALE — In a fight meant to serve primarily as a tune-up after a nine-month absence from the ring, Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan’s engine roared to life on Saturday night.

The Glendale-based light middleweight contender needed less than two rounds to flatten Bladimir Hernandez at the Bell Center in Montreal, improving to 29-0 with his 18th knockout.

Martirosyan fought at the full middleweight limit of 160 pounds when Hernandez struggled to make the 158-pound catch weight after failing to meet the initially agreed-upon 156-pound weight.

Yet, the former Olympian still had no problem with Hernandez, stopping him 57 seconds into the second round.

It was the fourth loss in a row for Hernandez (18-5, 16 KOs) who has failed to get past the third round in three of his last four outings.

Martirosyan will have little time to reflect on this easy win, as he is already set to face Saul Roman on April 23 in Thackerville, Okla. for the World Boxing Council Silver light middleweight title.