As first reported by BoxingScene.com, Former super welterweight and middleweight world title contender Vanes Martirosyan of Glendale, Calif., is the first standout to join International Championship Boxing, which will bring a cage instead of ropes to the support of boxing, mirror the look and feel of MMA.

Martirosyan was last seen taking a last-minute fight with Gennady Golovkin on May 5th for Golovkin’s WBA and WBC middleweight world titles, with the result not being great, Golovkin picking up a second-round KO over Martirosyan. Martirosyan though took the fight on less than a month notice and showed great heart to even compete and save the event after Canelo Alvarez failed a drug test forcing the Canelo vs. Golovkin II bout to be postponed.

Martirosyan, who is trained by famed boxing and mixed martial arts coach, Edmond Tarverdyan.

Martirosyan will debut in the beginning of 2019 with this promotion.