Orlando, FL, USA - Armenian heavyweight prospect Gurgen "Big Gug" Hovhannisyan, 6-0 (6 KOs), is set to make his return to the ring on December 13th at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Hovhannisyan will face Patrick “Magic” Mailata, 6-2 (3 KOs), in an 8-round contest, marking another step in the towering Armenian’s journey toward heavyweight relevance.

Hovhannisyan, widely touted as a promising heavyweight, made waves with a dominant performance over former prospect Michael Polite Coffie in October 2022. That win catapulted him into the conversation as a heavyweight to watch, with whispers of potential matchups against notable names like former IBF Champion Charles Martin. However, a series of injury setbacks and promotional challenges with PBC have kept Hovhannisyan largely inactive since his breakout victory.

The Armenian powerhouse returned earlier in 2024 with two wins, but they were against modest opposition, leaving fans waiting for the kind of performances that initially generated excitement about his career. This upcoming bout against Mailata offers Hovhannisyan a chance to reestablish momentum, albeit against another opponent who appears outmatched on paper.

Patrick Mailata, a tough Samoan heavyweight based in Las Vegas, enters the fight as the underdog. Known as "Magic," Mailata will need every bit of his moniker’s promise to navigate Hovhannisyan’s power and skill set. With a professional record of 6-2 (3 KOs), Mailata has proven his durability but has yet to face a fighter of Hovhannisyan’s caliber.

Mailata’s losses came via decision to solid prospects Antonio Mireles and Kingsley Ibeh, and he hasn’t fought since early 2023. While his inactivity raises questions about his readiness, his resilience and experience against credible opposition suggest he won’t fold easily.

For Hovhannisyan, this fight represents more than just another victory to pad his record. It’s an opportunity to remind fans and industry insiders why he was once considered a serious threat in the heavyweight division. With a strong team behind him, the big Armenian has the tools to climb the heavyweight ranks, but his progress depends on staying injury-free and maintaining consistent activity.

Mailata, on the other hand, has little to lose and everything to gain. A win over an undefeated prospect like Hovhannisyan could breathe new life into his career and put him on the radar as a dangerous heavyweight gatekeeper.

Hovhannisyan’s imposing physicality and varied offensive arsenal make him the clear favorite. Standing tall at 6’7” and carrying fight-ending power in both hands, the Armenian’s challenge will be to balance aggression with discipline, ensuring he doesn’t overlook Mailata’s toughness. A stoppage win would reignite some of the buzz around his name, while an unconvincing performance could further diminish his standing in the eyes of boxing fans.

For Mailata, the game plan will likely involve weathering the storm early and looking for opportunities to counter Hovhannisyan’s offense. His durability suggests he could extend the fight into the later rounds, testing whether the Armenian prospect can maintain his energy and focus over the full distance.

If Hovhannisyan emerges victorious and unscathed, he could set his sights on a more significant step up in 2025, potentially cracking the world’s top 30. With the heavyweight division always in flux, staying active and healthy will be key for the Armenian as he aims to fulfill his early promise.

For now, December 13th offers a chance for Hovhannisyan to shake off the rust and continue building his case as one of the division’s rising talents. Fans will be watching to see if he delivers the dominant performance expected of him.

Prediction: Hovhannisyan by mid-round stoppage or a commanding unanimous decision.