BoxRec

I've not actually seen him fight myself, what's he like?

Sorry James I can't help you, although I think his match with Espedas was televised on US TV, so it would be easy to get hold of.

Very hard to find much about him to be honest, he has a solid record, and looks to me a bit of a dangerman, considering his showing against Espadas, he's no respecter of reputation.

Wondered whether he was denfensive or aggressive natured, he hasn't got a big KO ratio, but I figured he could be a volume guy like McCulloch and Harrison.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I've not actually seen him fight myself, what's he like?

He's a southpaw who throws plenty of leather and seems to have a good dig. He's been compared to Johnny Tapia for his fast-handed, busy approach, and is ranked in the top 10 by the WBC and IBF. He likes to jump on opponents from the off and overwhelm them through a sheer volume of punches, though he tends to get a little negative if his early onslaughts don't get the desired result and it nearly cost him two fights ago when Mexico's Jose Luis Tula climbed off the floor in round three to have Abelyan reeling in the 12th and final round at the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas last year. But it was too little, too late from Tula. Abelyan won by 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112 on the scorecards to retain his NABO featherweight crown.
Before that, Abelyan also struggled with Panama's Armando Cordoba (recently touted as an opponent for IBO lightweight champion Jason Cook). It was a surprisingly close fight in which Abelyan's eye was completely closed by the end. The crowd booed the 97-93, 97-93, 95-95 verdict for Abelyan.
Ableyan won his NABO title when he picked off Panama's three-time world title challenger Orlando Soto in every round and finally nailed him with a crushing southpaw right hook in the 10th round in August 2002 in Vegas. He also showed he could box when he outpointed another world class veteran in Jesus Salud over ten rounds.
But the win that really made people sit up and take notice of the Armenian transplant came in August 2001 when, at four day's notice, he dropped Guty Espadas twice with big left hands (rounds six and eight) en route to a unanimous 10-round decision at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Vegas. Espadas was supposed to cruise past the late sub. He was such a favorite, the fight wasn't even offered in the sportsbooks. But Guty wasn't prepared for the slick, quick and effective southpaw style of Abelyan, who shrugged off a cut over the left eye and a big finish to cop a unanimous decision, to much approval by the crowd in attendance.
Trained by the highly respected Kenny Adams and managed by Gary Shaw, the 25-year-old Abelyan is on a winning streak of 13 since Colombia's world class Victor Polo stopped him in a round in January 2000. He's a solid featherweight at 5ft 5in, and when he lets those quick punches fly, looks very good indeed. He'll certainly have an edge in speed over Harrison.
He has been based in the States his entire career, and lost his first two fights there in 1998. But he quickly found his feet, and the only other men to beat him are former IBF featherweight champion Hector Lizarraga in an ambitious 10-rounder in late 1998 (Lizarraga outpointed Abelyan in first fight after losing his title to Manuel Medina; Abelyan had been a pro nine months) and to dangerous Victor Polo in 2000, a man who lost three close world title fights to Manuel Medina, Derrick Gainer and Julio Pablo Chacon respectively. It's fair to say he's been matched tough in his career, and responded magnificently of late.

He does sound a pretty dangerous fighter. The first round ko must have just be a case of being caught cold, as he's stood up well against some good competition since.
Haven't seen him so it's hard to guess, but he better be very good if he plans on coming forward against the very strong Scot.