The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
July 7, 2007 Saturday
State Edition
Confident Vic can do the trick
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI
VIC Darchinyan, Australia’s best boxer, has been talking up his
IBF/IBO flyweight bout against Filipino Nonito Donaire all week.
”The Raging Bull”, who would not look out of place on a horse at
Rosehill today, will defend his world title belt in the US tomorrow,
with the fight beamed on TV to millions of fight fans worldwide,
including Australia.
Aussies love Darchinyan. Even though his Armenian accent can at times
be a little hard to understand, who is to argue. The guy can fight.
After all, his intentions are always made clear when he hops in the
ring.
Darchinyan, who is yet to taste defeat in 28 fights — 22 of them
coming by way of knockout — was not being cocky when he said
yesterday he did not expect the stoush to go the distance.
Yesterday the 31-year-old said: ”I’ve trained very hard for two
months, so I’m hoping Donaire comes to fight. I hope he can last with
me for at least six to eight rounds, and this doesn’t go one or two
rounds.”
Punters taking the $19 for a first-round knockout will be hoping
Donaire is about as switched on and effective as State Rail.
The flyweights can throw plenty of punches but absorb just as many.
And the Filipinos are renowned for going the distance.
Donaire was relaxed at the weigh-in and, like Darchinyan, is not
getting carried away with the pre-fight circus that can often occur.
”I am very relaxed, I have a great game plan and I’m very confident
I can win on Saturday night,” Donaire said.
Darchinyan may be pumped, but the $3.50 being offered for Darchinyan
winning by a points decision could be an effective result and the
perfect pick-me-up to let your winnings ride on one of the footy
games being played later that afternoon.
* SYDNEY may have lost Amon Buchanan, Matthew Laidlaw and Luke
Vogels, but the gains of Big Bad Barry Hall and Tadhg Kennelly, along
with Adam Schneider, are sure to keep Fremantle’s record in the
Harbour City pretty bleak.
The Swans know it is a must-win game and they were far from disgraced
by the competition heavyweights Geelong last week. True, Collingwood
blew them off the park a fortnight ago but the Swannies could not
have played any worse. It will go down as the low point in the 2007
season. Things will no doubt only get brighter from here.
They are back to the Sydney Cricket Ground, and what better way to
whet the local fans’ appetite for a premiership by winning, and
winning in style.
The Swans are paying $1.53. Their trademark sluggish starts limit the
betting options.
The fact Michael O’Loughlin is about to break the record for most
games for the ”Bloods” will serve as an extra incentive. His
teammates, as well as coach Paul Roos, will be determined to make it
a happy milestone.
”It’s a massive game if you look at the ladder — but it’s also a
big game for Mick,” Roos said.