NEWS.com.au, Australia
Oct 21 2007
Darchinyan wins tough bout
By David Riccio
October 21, 2007 12:00am
VIC Darchinyan re-ignited his quest for world domination last night –
but not before being threatened with the greatest upset of his career
by under-rated Filipino Frederico Catubay.
Claming the vacant IBO super flyweight world title, Darchinyan
recorded his first win since losing his IBF and IBO flyweight titles
to another Filipino, Nonito Donaire in July.
Requiring the entire 12-rounds to claim Catubay’s scalp, overwhelming
favourite Darchinyan admitted his corageous opponent had frustrated
him to the near-point of defeat.
It was also Darchinyan’s first fight in Australia for 26 months – his
past five fights billed in Las Vegas – and the Armenian-born power
puncher needed every bit of his class to deliver for the loyal Auburn
RSL crowd measured at just under 1000.
"It was a hard fight…he was tough and it’s actually good because I
can now learn from my mistakes,” Darchinyan said.
A corageous Catuaby simply failed to give in despite a mass of head
and body blows that earned great respect from the biased crowd.
Catabay, 27, boasted a record of 20-13 ahead of the bout but unlike
stablemate and fellow countryman Donaire, he was unable to outlast
the aggression of an inspired Darchinyan.
"I’m happy to get this win. I want to win my world title but I’m not
yet sure about a re-match with Donaire,” Darchinyan said.
"That’s something my manager will have to work out.”
Provoking the heavy favourite with cunning `is that all you’ve got
gestures’ throughout the bout, Catabay’s schoolboy tactics seemed to
rattle Darchinyan.
It was with the progression of every round that Darchinyan elevated
his control of the fight, although the courage of the Filipino
clearly frustrated Darchinyan – who was expected to walk through his
rival.
In the lead-up to the bout Darchinyan spoke of his desire to relax
and absorb his rival, rather than continue his rapid-fire
crowd-pleasing style that ultimalty brought about his downfall
against Donaire.
The adjustment in style left Darchinyan akwardly close to defeat with
the 31-year-old holding onto to record his 29th victory.
Darchinyan said he now plans to fight on the undercard of Danny
Green’s world title bout in New York on December 1.
Photo at
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
