Australian expects early spurt from Colombian challenger
AP Worldstream; Aug 23, 2005
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International Boxing Federation flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan of
Australia expects an early assault from Colombian challenger Jair
Jiminez in their 12-round fight Wednesday.
The Armenian-born Darchinyan, 29, is making the second defense of the
world title he won from another Colombian, Irene Pacheco, in Florida
in December. The fight is at the Sydney Entertainment Center, where
his trainer Jeff Fenech won two of his world titles and compiled a 6-0
record, including victories over Victor Callejas, Carlos Zarate and
Steve McCrory.
“It’s a great venue,” said Fenech, who last fought there 16 years ago
against Callejas, when he won his third world title.
Darchinyan will be trying to restore some pride to Australian
boxing. Since Darchinyan’s first successful title defense against
South African Mzukisi Sikali in March, Anthony Mundine, Paul Briggs,
Kostya Tszyu and Tommy Browne have all lost, leaving Australians with
2-6 record in world title fights this year.
The other success was Robbie Peden’s February victory over Nate
Campbell for the IBF super-featherweight title.
Jiminez is being ranked an outsider, but Fenech is cautious.
“I expect him to try and blast Vic out in the first few rounds, he’s a
very skillful kid, he’s got a very precise punch,” Fenech said.
“This kid is a little pocket dynamo. I’ve watched him win some fights
and he’s pretty talented. To be honest, we’ve got reason to be very
cautious and we’ve got to be ready for a hard fight.”
Darchinyan has 18 knockouts in his 23-0 record, while Jiminez has 16
in his record of 22-4-1.
Jiminez lost his last two fights, both to Gerson Guerrero, but each
was at the heavier super flyweight.
Jiminez’s trainer, Roberto Quesada, has trained nine world champions.
“When Jiminez wins on Wednesday, it’s no surprise (to me), it’s
possible Australian people will be surprised,” said Quesada. “Jiminez
has come to Australia in good condition. He has been training three
months and has done 120 rounds of sparring.”