DARCHINYAN BLASTS HIS WAY BACK TO THE TOP; EARNS SECOND WORLD TITLE
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http://www.braggingrig htscorner.com/darchin080208.html
Aug 3 2008
FL
TACOMA, Wash. (Aug. 3, 2008) – "The Raging Bull" Vic Darchinyan
promised a highlight reel knockout and delivered one bone-crunching
left hand after another. The Armenian-born Australian stopped Russia’s
Dimitri Kirilov in the fifth round to earn the IBF junior bantamweight
championship, his second career world title, Saturday on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast originated from the Emerald
Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.
In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Andre Dirrell,
of Flint, Mich., took out brawler Mike Paschall of Baltimore, Md.,
inside four rounds to remain unbeaten.
Former flyweight world titlist Darchinyan was coming off two
disappointing fights in his last three outings. Having been knocked
out by Philippine Nonito Donaire 13 months ago, and battling to a draw
against Zcy Gorres in February, Darchinyan was looking to impress on
the way to regaining his status as world champion.
"I have learned a lot from my last few fights," said Darchinyan. "I
was very focused and ready for this fight. I never under estimate
my opponents."
Kirilov, who had never been stopped in 33 professional fights,
could not handle the destructive power that Darchinyan brought to
the 115-pound fight.
Darchinyan used a consistent jab as a range finder and mixed in
monstrous straight left hands and a few uppercuts. From the outset,
he landed one big punch after another.
Early in the fifth, the accumulation of punches took its toll and
Kirilov went down for the first time. After regaining his feet,
Darchinyan pounced and sent Kirilov down again just seconds
later. Referee Earl Brown reached the count of 10 at 1:05 of the fifth.
"I would like to have a rematch with Donaire," said Darchinyan, who
improves to 30-1-1 with 24 big knockouts. "But who ever they put in
front of me, Christian Mijares, Fernando Montiel, it doesn’t matter. I
love to fight."
The game Kirilov (now 29-4-1, 9 KOs) spoke to SHOWTIME reporter
Jim Gray immediately after the fight. "I feel okay physically. I am
disappointed that I lost the fight. I took the wrong approach. Freddie
Roach was telling me to move to my left and throw combinations,
but I couldn’t get off. I couldn’t do the work that I normally do."
In the 168-pound bout, Dirrell handed Paschall his first professional
defeat. Dirrell landed a near-perfect straight left hand in the
fourth that opened up a deep gash on Paschall’s forehead and sent
him sprawling to the canvas.
After Paschall beat the count, he was checked by the ringside
physician. Despite Pascall’s plea for one more round, referee Bobby
Howard stopped the fight on the advice of the doctor.
"I started slower than I usually do," Dirrell said. "He kept throwing
that lazy jab and I was lining up the straight left the whole night. I
was finally able to land it, a perfect punch, right over the top."
Through three rounds, the judges had the fight scored 29-28 for
Dirrell. The ShoBox alum improves to 16-0 with 11 KOs and is looking
forward to a world title fight.
"I’d like to fight one or two more fights, preferably against a
top-10 contender," said Dirrell. "Then I’ll be ready for a world
title shot. I am more mature now and feel stronger than ever. It is
my dream to fight for a title."
Undefeated super middleweight contender Andre Ward of Oakland, Calif.,
was ringside in support of Dirrell, former teammates on the 2004 US
Olympic team.
Saturday’s exciting SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will replay
on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME® 2.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive
behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast
information and more, please visit SHO.com/sports.
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