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DARCHINYAN LOOKS TO UNIFY BOXING TITLE
Sydney Morning Herald
April 7 2008
Australia
Vic Darchinyan will challenge Russia's IBF super flyweight Dimitri
Kirilov in the United States in July or August, with a unification
fight looming as a potential reward for the Australian.
Darchinyan's manager Elias Nasser said he expected the negotiations
for the Kirilov fight to be finalised later this week.
"It's either going to be the first Saturday in July in America or
the first Saturday in August, it looks more than likely it will be
in July," Nasser said.
He said both American pay TV boxing giants Showtime and HBO were
interested in the contest.
Nasser revealed a victory over Kirilov, whose record stands at 29 wins
(9 KOs), three losses and one draw, would put Darchinyan in line to
unify a title.
"The division is heating up because the WBA champion Alexander Munoz
is fighting the WBC champion Christian Mijares in May," Nasser said.
"I have already spoken to both camps and if Vic was to win the
fight against Kirilov, there will be a unification fight for a Super
champion."
Another scenario involves current IBF flyweight champion Nonito
Donaire, the only professional to beat Darchinyan.
Nasser said American Gary Shaw, who promotes both Darchinyan and
Donaire, was keen to stage a rematch between the two men.
However, Nasser emphasised he wouldn't agree to a rematch unless
Donaire brought a title to the table.
He said Donaire was apparently contemplating moving up to super
flyweight.
"Unless he (Donaire) brings something to the table, he won't be
getting a free shot at the world title, unless he is a world champion
(himself)," Nasser said.
"I'm not going to throw Vic in against Donaire for no reason.
"The only super flyweight world title that is still available is
Fernando Montiel (WBO).
"If he (Donaire) does fight for a (super flyweight) world title,
he will definitely be our next fight."
Nasser revealed Darchinyan was currently in the middle of a five-week
training camp back in Armenia, the country of his birth.
"We've got him there with his fitness trainer and old amateur coach,"
Nasser said.
"With his amateur record, a lot of his stoppages came through body
punches and we just want to bring that back into his game.
"He will come back to Australia for a month in camp with (his trainer)
Billy Hussein and then he will be over in the United States for a
month to acclimatise and get ready for his big fight."
In other boxing news, The Contender American reality television
show winner Sakio Bika will return to the ring on Friday at Cronulla
against an Argentinian opponent.
Sydney Morning Herald
April 7 2008
Australia
Vic Darchinyan will challenge Russia's IBF super flyweight Dimitri
Kirilov in the United States in July or August, with a unification
fight looming as a potential reward for the Australian.
Darchinyan's manager Elias Nasser said he expected the negotiations
for the Kirilov fight to be finalised later this week.
"It's either going to be the first Saturday in July in America or
the first Saturday in August, it looks more than likely it will be
in July," Nasser said.
He said both American pay TV boxing giants Showtime and HBO were
interested in the contest.
Nasser revealed a victory over Kirilov, whose record stands at 29 wins
(9 KOs), three losses and one draw, would put Darchinyan in line to
unify a title.
"The division is heating up because the WBA champion Alexander Munoz
is fighting the WBC champion Christian Mijares in May," Nasser said.
"I have already spoken to both camps and if Vic was to win the
fight against Kirilov, there will be a unification fight for a Super
champion."
Another scenario involves current IBF flyweight champion Nonito
Donaire, the only professional to beat Darchinyan.
Nasser said American Gary Shaw, who promotes both Darchinyan and
Donaire, was keen to stage a rematch between the two men.
However, Nasser emphasised he wouldn't agree to a rematch unless
Donaire brought a title to the table.
He said Donaire was apparently contemplating moving up to super
flyweight.
"Unless he (Donaire) brings something to the table, he won't be
getting a free shot at the world title, unless he is a world champion
(himself)," Nasser said.
"I'm not going to throw Vic in against Donaire for no reason.
"The only super flyweight world title that is still available is
Fernando Montiel (WBO).
"If he (Donaire) does fight for a (super flyweight) world title,
he will definitely be our next fight."
Nasser revealed Darchinyan was currently in the middle of a five-week
training camp back in Armenia, the country of his birth.
"We've got him there with his fitness trainer and old amateur coach,"
Nasser said.
"With his amateur record, a lot of his stoppages came through body
punches and we just want to bring that back into his game.
"He will come back to Australia for a month in camp with (his trainer)
Billy Hussein and then he will be over in the United States for a
month to acclimatise and get ready for his big fight."
In other boxing news, The Contender American reality television
show winner Sakio Bika will return to the ring on Friday at Cronulla
against an Argentinian opponent.