DARCHINYAN WANTS MORE TITLES
Seconds Out
Jan 9 2007
Vic Darchinyan has just turned 31 but the way he sees it, the best
part of his career is only just beginning.
After bringing himself to the attention of boxing fans in the USA with
three brutal stoppage wins on the Showtime television network in 2006,
the IBF/IBO flyweight world champion is looking for the biggest fights
available in 2007.
"It was a good year for me," he said, "but I want to win more world
title belts and I will move up in weight if I have to. I want to
fight three or four times this year."
Evidence that Darchinyan’s reputation is rising as one of the best
in boxing can be seen in the latest edition of the highly respected
The Ring magazine. In his opening editorial, Nigel Collins suggests a
new list of "dollar for dollar ratings" for world class fighters who
"give boxing consumers the biggest bang for their bucks". Darchinyan
is listed at six behind number one Manny Pacquiao and ahead of other
notable names such as Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De
La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
"I was very happy to read that and I am thankful that Nigel Collins
has me on his new list," said Darchinyan. "But I not only want to be
the most exciting fighter in the world, I want to be in the pound for
pound top ten best boxers in the world and become undisputed world
champion in different weight classes. I really want to have The Ring
world champion belt around my waist."
Unfortunately, his promoter Gary Shaw’s attempts to get him a
unification match at flyweight have been unsuccessful so far. WBO
champion Omar Narvaez 23-0-2 (15) has turned down two offers to
fight Darchinyan, while WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam 63-2 (31)
has never fought in the USA and rarely fights outside of his home
country of Thailand. While he has not fought since December 2005, WBA
champion Lorenzo Parra 27-0 (17) would appear to be the most likely
title-holder at flyweight to face Darchinyan 27-0 (21) this year.
Of course, the biggest fight on paper in 2007 for southpaw Darchinyan
is a clash with Mexican Jorge Arce 45-3-1 (35), who also appeared on
Collins’ new "dollar for dollar" list at No.2. The 27 year-old is a
former WBC interim flyweight and WBC junior flyweight world champion,
who is now campaigning at junior bantamweight.
"Quite a few people I have been talking to in the USA are saying
that Arce and me is the best fight they want to see in 2007," said
Darchinyan. "I have always said I will take that fight at any time,
it is up to the promoters and Arce to make it happen."
Another possible big fight for Darchinyan would be a move up in weight
to face WBO junior bantamweight world champion Fernando Montiel 32-2-1
(24) from Mexico, who is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya.
While flyweights have historically not been a division featured in
big time boxing in the USA, Darchinyan’s last three stoppage wins
over Diosdado Gabi, Luis Maldonado and Glenn Donaire showcased his
aggressive and powerful style and ensured that he will have many new
fans following him in the future. The Showtime network has taken a
liking to his entertaining style and with the ensuing American and
international television coverage of his fights, the "Raging Bull"
from Armenia, who has citizenship of Australia, will be a boxer in
demand for many years to come.
While he is currently waiting to sign a contract for the fight,
it is likely that Darchinyan’s next bout will be a mandatory IBF
defence against the Don King promoted Victor Burgos 39-14-3 (23)
in the USA on March 3, in the main support to the WBC lightweight
champion Joel Casamayor versus WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz
clash on Showtime. 32 year-old Burgos from Mexico is a former IBF
junior flyweight world champion.
"I’m going to get some tapes of Burgos and look closely at his style,"
said Darchinyan. "I’m already training for the fight and I want to
put on another exciting performance and win for the fans.
This will help me get the biggest fights possible in 2007 and some
more world title belts."
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