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The Australian, Australia
June 2 2006
Darchinyan going for knockout
June 02, 2006
AUSTRALIA'S flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan plans to wow a
worldwide audience this weekend by knocking out Mexican Luis
Maldonado in his first fight in Las Vegas.
The big punching 30-year-old Sydneysider has the opportunity to boost
his burgeoning profile in front of a massive global television
audience in the main preliminary fight to the third clash between
World Boxing Council lightweight champion Diego Corrales and Jose
Luis Castillo.
International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organisation
flyweight world champion Darchinyan boasts an impressive record of
25-0 (20 KOs).
Darchinyan has won all four of his world title fights inside the
distance and stopped his last seven opponents. While he has fought in
the US twice before, and visited Las Vegas on several occasions, the
bout at the Thomas and Mack Centre on Sunday (AEST) represents his
debut in the famous fight city.
"For my career this is a very good opportunity for me, to show people
how good I am," Darchinyan said from Las Vegas.
"I'm fighting with an undefeated Mexican, who has been a professional
boxer longer than me. When I knock him out, I believe people will
start recognising me and start talking about me and they will give me
much respect.
"It's an incredible opportunity. If you can fight in Vegas, you can
fight anywhere in America. The main support on a big show promises
many things for me."
Darchinyan's American promoter Gary Shaw is believed to have
provisionally arranged for him to appear on another big Vegas
promotion in August.
Honed by what Darchinyan and his trainer Jeff Fenech believe is his
best preparation ever, the Armenian-born champion claimed he was
punching harder than ever.
"Every fight I'm becoming more powerful, my punch is becoming
stronger," Darchinyan said. "I believe I will knock him out and I
will show my power because I can feel my power now. I'm getting
stronger and stronger.
"From my sparring and preparation I feel very good, I don't have any
sore or hurting places on my body.
"I came to America very fit, I did sparring in Phoenix in 40 degree
heat and I can feel my fitness is good."
Maldonado 28, has an impressive record of 33 wins (25 KOs) no losses
and one draw.
However, he has fought only once outside Mexico and does not appear
to have met the same calibre of opposition as Darchinyan.
"He's a typical Mexican fighter, but I think he's a little smarter
than most," Fenech said.
"He doesn't always try to knock people out, but he wears them down,
but I'm very confident."
Maldonado is a switch hitter and will enjoy a height advantage over
Darchinyan, who relishes the prospect of fighting a taller adversary.
"I love it when someone is bigger than me, taller than me, in my
weight division. I'm already big (for a flyweight)," Darchinyan said.
"If he stays in front of me and fights with me I will love it."
June 2 2006
Darchinyan going for knockout
June 02, 2006
AUSTRALIA'S flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan plans to wow a
worldwide audience this weekend by knocking out Mexican Luis
Maldonado in his first fight in Las Vegas.
The big punching 30-year-old Sydneysider has the opportunity to boost
his burgeoning profile in front of a massive global television
audience in the main preliminary fight to the third clash between
World Boxing Council lightweight champion Diego Corrales and Jose
Luis Castillo.
International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organisation
flyweight world champion Darchinyan boasts an impressive record of
25-0 (20 KOs).
Darchinyan has won all four of his world title fights inside the
distance and stopped his last seven opponents. While he has fought in
the US twice before, and visited Las Vegas on several occasions, the
bout at the Thomas and Mack Centre on Sunday (AEST) represents his
debut in the famous fight city.
"For my career this is a very good opportunity for me, to show people
how good I am," Darchinyan said from Las Vegas.
"I'm fighting with an undefeated Mexican, who has been a professional
boxer longer than me. When I knock him out, I believe people will
start recognising me and start talking about me and they will give me
much respect.
"It's an incredible opportunity. If you can fight in Vegas, you can
fight anywhere in America. The main support on a big show promises
many things for me."
Darchinyan's American promoter Gary Shaw is believed to have
provisionally arranged for him to appear on another big Vegas
promotion in August.
Honed by what Darchinyan and his trainer Jeff Fenech believe is his
best preparation ever, the Armenian-born champion claimed he was
punching harder than ever.
"Every fight I'm becoming more powerful, my punch is becoming
stronger," Darchinyan said. "I believe I will knock him out and I
will show my power because I can feel my power now. I'm getting
stronger and stronger.
"From my sparring and preparation I feel very good, I don't have any
sore or hurting places on my body.
"I came to America very fit, I did sparring in Phoenix in 40 degree
heat and I can feel my fitness is good."
Maldonado 28, has an impressive record of 33 wins (25 KOs) no losses
and one draw.
However, he has fought only once outside Mexico and does not appear
to have met the same calibre of opposition as Darchinyan.
"He's a typical Mexican fighter, but I think he's a little smarter
than most," Fenech said.
"He doesn't always try to knock people out, but he wears them down,
but I'm very confident."
Maldonado is a switch hitter and will enjoy a height advantage over
Darchinyan, who relishes the prospect of fighting a taller adversary.
"I love it when someone is bigger than me, taller than me, in my
weight division. I'm already big (for a flyweight)," Darchinyan said.
"If he stays in front of me and fights with me I will love it."