Vic eyes Las Vegas superfight
by TERRY SMITH
The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
March 13, 2005 Sunday
VIC Darchinyan is poised to have a flyweight superfight in Las Vegas
against Venezuela’s WBA champion Lorenzo Parro.
But the man nicknamed Raging Bull II must first defend the IBF world
title he won in December, this time against South African Mzukisi
Sikali at the State Sports Centre on March 27.
Sikali has a 25-5-2 record, compared with Darchinyan’s 22-0.
“I have the tape of Sikali’s fight with [Masibulele] Makapula and he
looks a good boxer, a southpaw like me,” Darchinyan said. “He doesn’t
like to run, and that’s a good sign.
“No one in the world can beat me if they stand toe-to-toe. I can
smash anyone who doesn’t run.” A bout with Parro, who is unbeaten in
25 fights, would be the first step in Darchinyan’s dream of unifying
the flyweight titles before stepping up a division.
Three weeks after relinquishing his Armenian nationality to become an
Australian citizen, Darchinyan took the IBF world crown from long-time
champion Irene Pacheco, stopping him in the 11th round of their fight
in Hollywood, Florida.
“I’m proud to be a citizen of Australia,” Darchinyan said. “It
has given me a world title and a lovely Russian girl, Olga, who is
my fiancee. No wonder I love it here.” Darchinyan’s trainer Jeff
Fenech claims there isn’t a flyweight on the planet who can match
his fighter’s power.
Of his nickname, Darchinyan said: “I like the bull thing because I
like to destroy.
“But [original Raging Bull] Jake La Motta was not a nice man.
“His movie did not have a happy ending.”