DARCHINYAN PROMISES SHOWTIME HIGHLIGHT REEL KNOCKOUT
SecondsOut
Aug 1 2008
Vic "Raging Bull" Darchinyan
Former flyweight world champion Vic "Raging Bull" Darchinyan has
talked a big game in the days leading up to his junior bantamweight
world championship showdown with Dimitri Kirilov on Saturday night
at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, but can he back
up those challenging and threatening words after his last two outings?
Dimitri "The Baby" Kirilov 29-3-1 (9) will defend his IBF junior
bantamweight title against former IBF flyweight champion and knockout
artist Vic Darchinyan 29-1-1 (23) live this Saturday on Showtime
Championship Boxing at 9pm ET / PT delayed on the west coast.
Here’s what the fighters had to say just two days before they battle
in the ring:
DIMITRI KIRILOV
"Darchinyan has a very unorthodox style, but it makes no difference. I
will fight the way I always have. I will use my boxing skills and
strategy to keep him off me.
"It does not matter how much power he has or he says he has. I’ve been
in the ring with big punchers before. Whatever Vic Darchinyan has,
it’s not enough to beat me.
"Freddie (Roach, his trainer) tells me ‘The bigger they punch, the
harder they punch, the harder they fall.’
"I feel very at home in Tacoma and I’m looking forward to defending
my title on Saturday."
Kirilov says ‘No Trespassing’ on his title turf: Tom Casino
VIC DARCHINYAN
"Kirilov has never been KO’d before. He’s going to get his first
knockout this Saturday.
"I have not made any changes in my game plan. Against Nonito Donaire, I
just got caught, that’s all. If anything, I am more focused than I ever
was before. My left hand is much stronger. My right hand is faster.
"I never respect my opponents before I fight them. I respect them
only after I knock them out. I help them wake up and help them to
their corner.
"I am here as a proud rep of my home town of Vanadzor, Armenia. I am
also very proud to fight out of Australia.
"I am here to put on another exciting show for Showtime. I am going
to fill up your highlight reel.
"Everyone at the Emerald Queen Casino is going to hear my punches,
lefts and rights. The people come out to watch the KO and that’s what
I am here for.
"Freddie Roach (Kirilov’s trainer) says I am predictable. The only
thing he can predict is that his boy is going to get knocked out."
In the co-feature, U.S. Olympian and undefeated prospect Andre "The
Matrix" Dirrell 15-0 (10) will put his flawless record on the line
against fellow unbeaten Mike "The Persecutor" Paschall 17-0-1 (4)
in a 10-round super middleweight brawl.