SMILING MEXICAN RILES VIC

Melbourne Herald Sun
Nov 1 2008
Australia

AUSTRALIAN Vic Darchinyan’s verbal barbs have upset the camp of Mexican
Cristian Mijares in the lead-up to their super flyweight world title
fight in Los Angeles tomorrow.

Promising to "break him in half" and describing Mijares as overrated
and unskilled, Darchinyan clearly irritated the Mexican’s promoter
Lou DiBella at the pre-fight press conference.

"Vic Darchinyan is a little man with a big mouth," DiBella said
yesterday.

Mijares, a 28-year-old southpaw, is one of boxing’s new elite, a
superstar with a string of impressive scalps on his belt, including
countryman, Jorge Arce.

But the feisty Darchinyan can not stomach Mijares.

"There’s always a smile on his face," the Armenian-born Australian
said. "I want to wipe the smile off his face."

The 32-year-old underdog said he would be friendly to Mijares only
after he knocks him out.

When Mijares is on the canvas, Darchinyan said he would gladly pick
him up and walk him back to his corner.

"I’m going to punish him," Darchinyan said.

The winner tomorrow will be crowned World Boxing Council, World
Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super flyweight
champion – the first time one man has held the three major belts of
the division.

Mijares had his WBC and WBA belts on display at the press conference
and Darchinyan, owner of the IBF belt, thanked the Mexican for bringing
the trophies along.

"I’m looking forward to taking them back to Australia," Darchinyan
said.