Regional promoters are the lifeblood of boxing.
The likes of Top Rank, Golden Boy, PBC, Matchroom and Queensberry, among others, will continue to bring big-time boxing shows to bright-light stages, but before the stars that those organizations showcase arrive there, they first must climb through the ranks on smaller shows.
Los Angeles-based Toro Promotions is boxing’s latest upstart company aiming to make a mark on the sweet science. The family-owned-and-operated company was founded by Azat Torosyan in 2023.
Toro Promotions’ roster features up-and-coming prospects and contenders such as 2020 Ukrainian Olympian heavyweight Tsotne Rogava (5-0, 5 KOs).
Toro Promotions has already staged four shows since April, and its fifth event comes March 23 at the LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California, this time in a co-promotion with Fearless Boxing.
The event will be streamed for free, live on the Toro Promotions YouTube page, and the Joe Goossen-trained Rogava will be featured.
“I’ve had a lifelong passion for boxing,” Torosyan recently told BoxingScene. “I never crossed the line to be a boxer, but being involved on the sidelines as a promoter is a great way.
“Our mission at Toro Promotions is to elevate the sport of boxing by making captivating and unforgettable events, with an unwavering dedication to the fighters. Our goal is to showcase the world’s most exciting boxers and help prepare them to complete on the global stage. We want to usher in future attractions.”
Torosyan, 45, is an Armenian born in Volgograd, Russia, who has lived in Southern California since 1987.
Toro Promotions’ most recent event came in January, featuring standout heavyweight prospect Gurgen Hovhannisyan. Torosyan received permission from PBC to headline a show featuring the Armenian fighter.
Torosyan is also tapping into respected figures across the sport. Whitfield Hayden, for example, serves as one of Toro Promotions’ lead matchmakers.
Torosyan already has shows set for June 15 and October 19 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, and plans on staging more shows across Southern California, all while growing his team of fighters.
“There’s no limit to how many fighters we want to sign – we don’t have a quota,” Torosyan said. “We’re looking for promising fighters and opportunities that align with our objectives. We want to find hidden talents and help them grow with shows all around the country.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.