Darchinyan retains IBF, IBO flyweight titles

AP Worldstream; Aug 24, 2005

Armenian-born Australian Vic Darchinyan retained his International
Boxing Federation flyweight title with a fifth-round technical
knockout Wednesday over Colombia’s Jair Jiminez at the Sydney
Entertainment Center.

The 29-year-old Darchinyan, who also retained the International Boxing
Organization title in the same class with the win, moved to 24-0,
including 19 by knockout. Jiminez, who weighed in at 50.55 kilograms
(111 pounds), dropped to 22-5-1 along with 16 knockouts.

Darchinyan, 50.8 kilograms (112 pounds), was making his second defense
of the world title he won from another Colombian, Irene Pacheco, in
Florida last December.

Darchinyan consistently hit Jiminez with stinging straight left
punches to the head.

Jiminez, 26, was under constant pressure in the fourth round when
Darchinyan sent the South American to the canvas in the first 20
seconds with a volley of at least five blows. Sensing an early finish,
Darchinyan pummeled Jiminez for the remainder of the round.

At the time of the stoppage, Darchinyan led by five points on two of
the judges’ cards and six points on the other.

“He’s a tough guy, he took a lot of punches,” Darchinyan said.
Darchinyan restored some pride to Australian boxing with the win in
the scheduled 12-rounder.

Since Darchinyan’s first successful title defense against South
African Mzukisi Sikali in March, Anthony Mundine, Paul Briggs, Kostya
Tszyu and Tommy Browne have all lost, leaving Australians with a 2-6
record this year before Wednesday’s title fight.