[2] Ponomarev started training with Gennady Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, shortly after.

[3] He defeated Cosme Rivera by unanimous decision (100-90, 100–90, 98–82) in his first fight under the American promotion.

In May 2015, Ponomarev claimed the NABF title, beating Mikaël Zewski by unanimous decision (99-91, 98–92, 97–93).

[5] In July 2017, the IBF ordered a title eliminator between Carlos Ocampo and Ponomarev.

[7] On the 21st of July 2018 Sergey Vorobiev ended Ponomarev's undefeated streak.