BOXING: UNBEATEN AUSSIE DARCHINYAN DEFENDS FLYWEIGHT CROWN

Agence France Presse — English
March 1, 2007 Thursday 6:24 PM GMT

Undefeated Vic Darchinyan defends his International Boxing Federation
flyweight title here Saturday against Mexico’s Victor Burgos, with
the Armenian-born Australian intending a showy triumph.

"I want to look nice in this fight. I don’t want to just knock him
out in the first round," Darchinyan said. "I fought more than 150
rounds in Australia getting ready. I want to show my fitness."

Darchinyan, 27-0 with 21 knockouts, has spoken of moving up in weight
to face Filipino star Manny Pacquiao or the winner of the other bout
on Saturday’s card, an all-Mexican superbantamweight showdown.

World Boxing Council champion Israel Vazquez, 41-3 with 31 knockouts,
will defend against IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez, 36-3
with 32 knockouts.

But before Darchinyan gets ahead of himself, he must dispatch Burgos,
a 32-year-old former IBF champion who is 39-14 with three drawn and
23 knockouts.

"I know it will be a tough fight but I have confidence in my training
and I’m going to win another title in another weight class," Burgos
said.

"He’s very confident he’s going to beat me. He’s in for a shock. He’s
going to get a big surprise. I have more experience than him. My
experience will make the difference. I’m sure I will be the champion
again."

Darchinyan answered the taunt, saying: "My other opponents have said
the same thing. You will see after two rounds how he’s going to run
from me."

Burgos replied: "He’s the one who should be worried after the second
or third round when he figures out his punches aren’t hurting me. He
has never been in a real war with other fighters."

The Vazquez-Marquez showdown figures to have such intensity, with
Vazquez claiming his experience at the higher weight will make the
difference.

"I’m a natural superbantamweight. This is the weight I’ve been
comfortable at my whole career. He’s working his way up," Vazquez
said. "Mentally and physically I’m as prepared as I have ever been."

Marquez said he has been ready for the jump for some time and will
not weaken himself by having to make a lower weight.

"I feel stronger. It was a smart decision to move up," Marquez said.

"I’m going to be prepared for the fight. It’s an important fight
for me. I’m 100 percent. I’m going to do everything I need to win
the fight."