KNOCKOUT OPPORTUNITY FOR VIC DARCHINYAN
Barry Michael
Melbourne Herald Sun
Aug 2 2008
Australia
SYDNEY’s Armenian-born powerhouse Vic Darchinyan gets his keenly
awaited shot at another world title tomorrow when he steps into the
ring in Tacoma, Washington, to face IBF super flyweight champion
Dimitri Kirilov.
Darchinyan, a former IBF and IBO world flyweight champion, lost his
undefeated record and title belts last year when he was sensationally
KO’d with one punch by Filipino contender Nonito Donaire in the fifth
round of a world title defence.
Until then, "Raging Bull" Darchinyan had exuded an aura of
invincibility, destroying his opponents with his unusual southpaw
style, incredible strength and power.
He had scored 22 KOs in 26 wins, was undefeated and had disposed of
Donaire’s brother Glenn in six rounds in 2006.
Since the devastating loss, Darchinyan has moved up to super flyweight
and has had two fights, both against Filipinos – a 12th-round KO of
Federico Catubay in October 2007 and a draw with Z. Gorres over 12
rounds in February, after having him down in Rounds 7 and 11.
It was evidently a very controversial verdict and thus Darchinyan
was offered this opportunity against Kirilov.
Russian-born Kirilov is no slouch, having won 29 of 33 fights but
only scoring nine KOs and losing three by decision.
He won the vacant IBF title in October last year by unanimous decision
from American Jose Navarro in Moscow.
Before Vic’s loss of the title last year, it is possible that he was
getting to the stage where he thought he was unbeatable and it appeared
that he was too powerful for everybody in the flyweight division.
His loss to Donaire has been a huge wake-up call, and the inside
information I have received is that he has been training superbly
and realises this is an opportunity he cannot lose.
This is a must-win fight for the "Raging Bull", who has always said
he would win multiple world titles.
Kirilov is undoubtedly a very well-schooled warrior but I believe,
looking at his record, he will not have the power to hold off the
strong and well-prepared Darchinyan for 12 rounds.
Darchinyan will win his second world title in this super flyweight
division by finally wearing down his skilful opponent to force a
stoppage within the 12-round distance, and bring back the belt to
his adopted homeland.