DARCHINYAN FIGHTING FAME IN PHILIPPINES

Bulletin Wire
January 30, 2008 Wednesday

They will bay for his blood on Saturday but Filipino fight fans are
lavishing rock star treatment on Australian boxer Vic Darchinyan in
the lead-up to his world super flyweight title eliminator against
local hero Z Gorres.

An amazed Darchinyan said he was getting far more recognition in Cebu
City than in his adopted home of Sydney.

Prior to losing his IBF and IBO flyweight world titles to Nonito
Donaire last July, the Armenian-born slugger was fast becoming the
scourge of Filipino fighters.

Before leaving Australia last Saturday, Darchinyan joked he might
be public enemy number one in the Philippines after beating three of
their other boxers.

So far, the only think it looks like Darchinyan will be killed with
is kindness.

"I can’t believe how they are treating me very well, they are very
good," Darchinyan told AAP.

"Everyone is recognising me. Even in the car, I was sitting in the
middle of the back seat, cars are passing us and they can see me and
recognise and start following us.

"They are recognising me here much more than in Australia."

Darchinyan’s manager Elias Nasser said his fighter had been in huge
demand for autographs and photos.

"He’s like a rock star. It’s unbelievable, he gets stopped every step
he takes," Nasser said.

"There are groups of people taking photos of him. At a media workout
he signed about 250 autographs.

The Filipinos hospitality extended to putting a boxing ring and a
couple of punch bags in the gym of the hotel and casino complex where
the fight will be held.

"I’m very fit, I’m sharp, my speed is very good, I’m very strong,
I feel great, I’m ready for everything," Darchinyan said.

Nasser said Darchinyan was running 10km on a treadmill just over two
hours after arriving in the Philippines.

"Vic is absolutely and unbelievably hungry, I truly think that he
will stop Gorres," Nasser said.

Darchinyan completed his sparring last Monday in a light session with
his stablemate Hussein Hussein, who will challenge Donaire in Dubai
on April 4.

That card will also feature big-punching, Sydney-based Filipino Ranee
Ganoy, who will fight Julio Diaz in an eliminator for the IBF number
two lightweight rating.

Donaire will be at Saturday’s promotion, which also features unbeaten
Australia junior lightweight champion William Kickett in a contest
against Filipino Romeo Jakosalem.