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Darchinyan Fighting Fame In Philippines

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  • Darchinyan Fighting Fame In Philippines

    DARCHINYAN FIGHTING FAME IN PHILIPPINES

    Bulletin Wire
    January 30, 2008 Wednesday

    They will bay for his blood on Saturday but Filipino fight fans are
    lavishing rock star treatment on Australian boxer Vic Darchinyan in
    the lead-up to his world super flyweight title eliminator against
    local hero Z Gorres.

    An amazed Darchinyan said he was getting far more recognition in Cebu
    City than in his adopted home of Sydney.

    Prior to losing his IBF and IBO flyweight world titles to Nonito
    Donaire last July, the Armenian-born slugger was fast becoming the
    scourge of Filipino fighters.

    Before leaving Australia last Saturday, Darchinyan joked he might
    be public enemy number one in the Philippines after beating three of
    their other boxers.

    So far, the only think it looks like Darchinyan will be killed with
    is kindness.

    "I can't believe how they are treating me very well, they are very
    good," Darchinyan told AAP.

    "Everyone is recognising me. Even in the car, I was sitting in the
    middle of the back seat, cars are passing us and they can see me and
    recognise and start following us.

    "They are recognising me here much more than in Australia."

    Darchinyan's manager Elias Nasser said his fighter had been in huge
    demand for autographs and photos.

    "He's like a rock star. It's unbelievable, he gets stopped every step
    he takes," Nasser said.

    "There are groups of people taking photos of him. At a media workout
    he signed about 250 autographs.

    The Filipinos hospitality extended to putting a boxing ring and a
    couple of punch bags in the gym of the hotel and casino complex where
    the fight will be held.

    "I'm very fit, I'm sharp, my speed is very good, I'm very strong,
    I feel great, I'm ready for everything," Darchinyan said.

    Nasser said Darchinyan was running 10km on a treadmill just over two
    hours after arriving in the Philippines.

    "Vic is absolutely and unbelievably hungry, I truly think that he
    will stop Gorres," Nasser said.

    Darchinyan completed his sparring last Monday in a light session with
    his stablemate Hussein Hussein, who will challenge Donaire in Dubai
    on April 4.

    That card will also feature big-punching, Sydney-based Filipino Ranee
    Ganoy, who will fight Julio Diaz in an eliminator for the IBF number
    two lightweight rating.

    Donaire will be at Saturday's promotion, which also features unbeaten
    Australia junior lightweight champion William Kickett in a contest
    against Filipino Romeo Jakosalem.
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