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VIC DARCHINYAN PROUD TO DEFEND IBO TITLE IN ARMENIA
Nick Walshaw
The Daily Telegraph
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/boxing/vic-darchinyan-proud-to-defend-ibo-title-in-armenia/story-e6freygr-1226128403858
Sept 2 2011
Australia
IT COSTS only 4000 dram to watch Vic Darchinyan fight tomorrow night.
"Which at roughly 10 bucks isn't bad for a title fight is it?" his
manager Elias Nassar laughs. "But to give you some idea of Vic's
following internationally, there are also top range tickets selling
at four grand."
Only two days after watching IBF middleweight champ Daniel Geale
retain his world title in Hobart, The Daily Telegraph finds itself
in downtown Yerevan, Armenia where Darchinyan is preparing to defend
his IBO bantamweight title against Evans Mbamba of South Africa.
Now only 24 hours out from the bout, Australia's best fighter has
gone into lockdown among a close circle of family and friends here
in the country of his birth.
Nassar, however, has no such luxury.
Not when Armenia has never seen Vic fighting live as a professional.
Hasn't seen anyone fighting live as a professional.
"Armenia has no boxing organisation so, to stage this fight, we've
flown 18 Australians here," Nassar continues. 'We've brought the
referee, the ring announcer, even all members of the Australian boxing
commission . . . which isn't cheap at $4000 bucks a head."
Nor is it cheap to import the boxing ring and judges. The time keepers
and undercard fighters. Even the bloody bell is Australian.
"And that's at Vic's urging he's a proud Australian," Nasser
continues. "We could've set this flight cheaper by using people
from Germany, Georgia, there where plenty of countries who could've
organised this.
"Vic is great friends with the Klitschko brothers who have a
promotions company. He knocked them back. Arthur Abraham, the former
IBF middleweight champion, is another great mate who offered his
services. Vic said `thanks Arthur but no'."
Indeed, you sense Darchinyan is hoping that, by opening his homeland
up to as many Australians as possible, his adopted country may finally
understand why he never lets go of this place. Why he carries both
Australian and Armenian flags into the ring.
Just like he will tomorrow night.
Two flags on display as Darchinyan enters the ring in front of
dignitaries from Russia, Turkey and the nearby Ukraine. In front of
photographers from a staggering 44 different European agencies.
Ready to fight for all those who've shelled out their 4000 dram.
* Nick is the only Australian journalist covering the Vic Darchinyan's
title fight - we will have his report from ringside Sunday morning
Nick Walshaw
The Daily Telegraph
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/boxing/vic-darchinyan-proud-to-defend-ibo-title-in-armenia/story-e6freygr-1226128403858
Sept 2 2011
Australia
IT COSTS only 4000 dram to watch Vic Darchinyan fight tomorrow night.
"Which at roughly 10 bucks isn't bad for a title fight is it?" his
manager Elias Nassar laughs. "But to give you some idea of Vic's
following internationally, there are also top range tickets selling
at four grand."
Only two days after watching IBF middleweight champ Daniel Geale
retain his world title in Hobart, The Daily Telegraph finds itself
in downtown Yerevan, Armenia where Darchinyan is preparing to defend
his IBO bantamweight title against Evans Mbamba of South Africa.
Now only 24 hours out from the bout, Australia's best fighter has
gone into lockdown among a close circle of family and friends here
in the country of his birth.
Nassar, however, has no such luxury.
Not when Armenia has never seen Vic fighting live as a professional.
Hasn't seen anyone fighting live as a professional.
"Armenia has no boxing organisation so, to stage this fight, we've
flown 18 Australians here," Nassar continues. 'We've brought the
referee, the ring announcer, even all members of the Australian boxing
commission . . . which isn't cheap at $4000 bucks a head."
Nor is it cheap to import the boxing ring and judges. The time keepers
and undercard fighters. Even the bloody bell is Australian.
"And that's at Vic's urging he's a proud Australian," Nasser
continues. "We could've set this flight cheaper by using people
from Germany, Georgia, there where plenty of countries who could've
organised this.
"Vic is great friends with the Klitschko brothers who have a
promotions company. He knocked them back. Arthur Abraham, the former
IBF middleweight champion, is another great mate who offered his
services. Vic said `thanks Arthur but no'."
Indeed, you sense Darchinyan is hoping that, by opening his homeland
up to as many Australians as possible, his adopted country may finally
understand why he never lets go of this place. Why he carries both
Australian and Armenian flags into the ring.
Just like he will tomorrow night.
Two flags on display as Darchinyan enters the ring in front of
dignitaries from Russia, Turkey and the nearby Ukraine. In front of
photographers from a staggering 44 different European agencies.
Ready to fight for all those who've shelled out their 4000 dram.
* Nick is the only Australian journalist covering the Vic Darchinyan's
title fight - we will have his report from ringside Sunday morning