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08/05/2008 Archived Entry: "Vic Darchinyan Claims IBF Title and Makes a Statement in Tacoma!"
Vic Darchinyan Claims IBF Title and Makes a Statement in Tacoma!
By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair
Darchinyan (right) opens up on Dimitri Kirilov en route to his stoppage and title winning victory
For power punching Vic Darchinyan, the prospect of lucrative paydays had all but disappeared a year ago; ripped away courtesy of Nonito Donaire. In a fight that he was favored to win, Darchinyan was knocked out in the fifth round by Donaire and lost not only a potentially huge payday against Jorge Arce, but his IBF flyweight title and the recognition of being one of the most marketable fighters in the lower weight divisions. A disappointing and controversial draw against Z Gorres earlier this year continued to stall his career’s progression back to the top.
In boxing, though, one fight can completely change the direction of a career and with one night of impressive work, Darchinyan has placed himself back in the mix with the top fighters in the division.
Last Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, Vic Darchinyan (30-1-1 24KOs 114 ½ lbs.) claimed the IBF Jr. Bantamweight title with a fifth round dismantling of Russia’s Dimitri Kirilov (29-4-1 9 KOs 114 lbs.). In an evenly matched fight that many thought would be close, Darchinyan thoroughly broke his opponent down throughout the fight, displaying the confidence and power that took him to the top of the Flyweight division.
Darchinyan (right) and Kirilov trade
Darchinyan came out strong in the first round, quickly setting the tone of the fight with his straight left down the middle of his opponent’s guard. As he closed the distance, Darchinyan continuously found his mark with that punch and confused his opponent by moving in and out of the pocket.
Kirilov, a usually quick and busy boxer, lacked the output and movement needed to keep an aggressive fighter like Darchinyan at bay. Throughout the first round Kirilov seemed more intent on avoiding taking too much punishment than mounting an effective attack.
In the second round Kirilov picked up his pace, firing off straight right hands and landing left hooks to the body, but Darchinyan quickly slowed his opponent’s aggression with a few perfectly placed straight lefts. By the end of the round Kirilov was eating blistering combinations to the head.
Darchinyan wears his new title belt with pride
Kirilov continued to take punishment in the third round, firing back on occasion, but taking tremendous straight lefts down the pike. He mounted a small comeback early in the fourth round, finding some success with combinations as his opponent’s output slowed. Darchinyan came back late in the round, though, slamming his opponent’s face with hard lefts. At the end of the round Kirilov looked less stable on his legs as he walked back to his corner.
Darchinyan came out for the fifth round pushing the fight, letting his hands go with intensity. A barrage of left hands dropped Kirilov to the canvas. He would beat the count, but a jarring left hand dropped him once again, punctuating the fight for Darchinyan. The referee reached the count of ten at 1:05 of the fifth round.
Darchinyan adds his second title in as many weight classes and an important and impressive win to his résumé. He places himself in a very interesting position with more than a few lucrative options. The 115 pound division is full of potential at the moment with names like Cristian Mijares, Jorge Arce, Nonito Donaire and now Darchinyan all plying their trade there. After the fight Darchinyan made it clear he plans on going after the best the division has to offer.
“I’ll fight anybody. Mijares, Donaire, anybody” said an exuberant Darchinyan at his post-fight celebration. Any one of those match-ups would deliver a great fight. After spending a year looking for the doors to open up, Darchinyan has kicked them open with a solid performance.
In the televised semi-main event, Olympic bronze medalists Andre Dirrell (16-0 11KOs 168 lbs.) stopped Baltimore, Maryland’s Mike Paschal (17-1-1 4KOs 168 lbs.) in the third round. Dirrell controlled the first two rounds, working his right jab and following up with shots to the body. Paschal proved to be a tough fighter, though, giving a solid effort. At the end of the third round Paschal pushed Dirrell back with a two punch combination, forcing him to move away cautiously for the remainder of the round.
Andre Dirrel (right) presses matters
Paschal (left) closes the gap
In the fourth round, Dirrell came out strong and quickly deposited Paschal on the canvass with a hard right hand, opening up a severe gash on his forehead. The cut immediately began to squirt blood, forcing the referee to call for time in order to allow the doctor to inspect the cut. The doctor waved the fight off at 1:32 of the third round, giving Dirrell the TKO victory.
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Banks (right) and Ellis Trade
In a match-up fight fans in the northwest were looking forward to, Portland, Oregon’s David Banks (16-4-1 2KOs 167 lbs.) defeated Seattle, Washington’s Kenny Ellis (35-7-3 24KOs 169 lbs.) with a six round unanimous decision. Banks dominated the majority of the rounds with effective counter punching and good lateral movement. Ellis had his moments, forcing the fight and making the fourth and fifth rounds close, but Banks was too accurate and elusive for the aging Ellis. The final judges’ scores read 60-54, 58- 56, and 59-55, giving Banks his sixteenth victory and the first win since losing in devastating fashion to Edison Miranda six months ago.
Byrne (left) steps in with his jab
Dublin, Ireland’s Dean Byrne (8-0 2KOs 142 lbs.) turned in an impressive performance over six rounds, handing journeyman Daniel Gonzalez (9-17-2 3KOs 144 lbs.) a thorough beating. Byrne pressed the fight early, perhaps feeling that Gonzalez would be an easy night’s work. As he snapped his opponent’s head back, landing blistering combinations, it seemed that Byrne was on his way to scoring a quick KO. A left hook to the chin sent Gonzalez down for a mandatory eight-count midway through the round. But, as is usually the case, Gonzalez withstood the early storm and gave a decent effort against the young prospect. Although he was taking a tremendous amount of punches, Gonzalez never stopped coming forward. Nevertheless, Byrne was too quick and too busy for Gonzalez, controlling the fight with quick combinations and good lateral movement. Byrne adds his eighth win as a pro by scores of 60-43, 60-53, and 60-54.
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Tukes (right) and Skayzer engage
In a close four round Welterweight bout, West Covina, California’s Max Skayzer (3-0-1 1KO 145 lbs.) and College Park, Georgia’s Fred Tukes (7-1-1 5KOs 146 lbs.) boxed to a draw. The bout was a slow paced tactical one with neither fighter really stepping up to clinch the win. Tukes won the battle of the jabs early on, but faded in the last two rounds, allowing Skayzer to find some success with his right. The official judges’ scores read 39-37 Tukes, 39-37 Skayzer, and 38-38.
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Darby (right) trades with Castillo
The evening’s opening bout matched Vancouver, Canada’s Darren Darby (4-8-2 1KO 140 ½ lbs.) against San Francisco, California’s Daniel Castillo (2-4-1 1KO 142 lbs.). Three weeks ago Darby lost a close decision to Castillo’s brother, Dario. The Castillo’s would not go 2-0 against Darby, though, as the Canadian scored a four round majority decision victory. Darby, who has a tendency to fall into a brawl when it does not suit him, fought a much more disciplined bout this time out. He used his jab and maneuvered around the ring, stepping into the pocket on occasion, and landing with his power shots. Castillo pressed the fight, working well to the body and scoring with solid left hooks to the head. The pressure style of Castillo made it an entertaining bout, but in the end Darby had secured the win by scores of 39-37, 39-37, and 38-38.
A nearly sold out crowd attended the Showtime televised event, which was co-promoted by Brian Halquist Productions, Gary Shaw Productions, and Gotham Boxing.
Boxing returns to the Emerald Queen Casino Saturday, September 13th. Tickets are on sale now.
