The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
December 14, 2004 Tuesday
Vic sharpens body blows – Fight in toy town far from kids’ stuff
by GRANTLEE KIEZA
BOXING fans can see Vic Darchinyan’s world title fight on Friday for
the donation of a toy but there will be no playing around when he
faces Colombian IBF champ Irene Pacheco.
Darchinyan, 28, who fought for Armenia at the Sydney Olympics before
settling in Ryde, is planning a relentless body attack against the
world title holder in a battle of southpaws in Hollywood, Florida.
“All this week I’ll be trying to get inside Vic’s head and tell him
not to go into the fight over-confident,” said Darchinyan’s trainer
Jeff Fenech.
“Vic has to realise that if he goes head-hunting against
Pacheco he’s going to miss all night. Pacheco is a very talented
boxer but because Vic is such a great puncher he thinks he can bowl
everyone over.
“But against Pacheco he is going to have to work very hard to wear
down the champion.”
The fight was rescheduled from September 3 because of Hurricane
Francis.
The card is part of the celebrations for the grand opening of a new
arena at the casino in Hollywood and a toy donated for a charity will
get patrons a seat.
But that’s where the fun and games finish.
Pacheco, 33, is undefeated in 30 professional fights with 22 KOs,
while Darchinyan is unbeaten in 21 with 16 KOs.
The world champ hasn’t fought for 15 months but he has held the world
crown since 1999 and four of his six title defences have been by
knockout.
* TWO-TIME Australian champion Josh Clenshaw announced his retirement
on Sunday after losing an Australian middleweight title fight against
Perth’s undefeated Daniel Dawson.
Clenshaw, one of boxing’s most earnest triers, was outpointed over 10
rounds before a packed house at Penrith Panthers.