Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
July 6, 2005 Wednesday
Vic’s speed and power
GRANTLEE KIEZA
THUNDER and lightning merged this week when big punching world
flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan slugged it out with laser quick
prospect Billy Dib in furious sparring sessions at Jeff Fenech’s
Marrickville gym.
Darchinyan, 29, defends his IBF world title against Colombian Jair
Jimenez at the Entertainment Centre on July 27 and says he has found
a brilliant sparring partner in Dib, a Sydney youngster who honed his
craft training with the legendary featherweight Prince Naseem Hamed
in England.
Dib, 19, will fight heavy hitting Filipino Bobby Pacquiao on the
Darchinyan undercard in his first major international test.
The promotion is being packaged by William Takataka, who last year
put together the exciting Paul Briggs-Stipe Drews light-heavyweight
battle.
Darchinyan says the second defence of the world title he bludgeoned
from another Colombian, Irene Pacheco, last year in Florida promises
similar fireworks.
“Jimenez fights like me, he comes forward throwing big punches,”
Darchinyan said. “He’s three years younger than me and very hungry to
win so I can guarantee it will be an exciting fight.
“Boxing against Billy Dib and [world-rated flyweight] Hussein Hussein
is excellent preparation for me.
“I want to win this fight and then go after the other world champions
to unify the division.” Darchinyan, an aggressive, relentless
southpaw, represented Armenia at the Sydney Olympics and once shared
a flat with fellow champion Danny Green in Bankstown.
He is unbeaten in 23 fights with 18 knockout wins.
Darchinyan was given a tough test in his first title defence, against
South African Mzukisi Sikali, at Homebush in March before his power
overwhelmed the visitor in round eight.
Jimenez has 22 wins and a draw in 27 fights and has won 16 by KO. In
2002 he lost a close decision against Nicaragua’s Adonis Rivas for
the WBO Interim flyweight title but goes into this fight having lost
his past two bouts against Mexican Gerson Guerrero in the heavier
super-flyweight division.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress