Darchinyan vows to unleash the power
By Peter Kogoy
The Australian
March 26 2005
March 26, 2005 — JEFF FENECH cranked up the pre-fight propaganda
machine last night by claiming his prized flyweight boxer Vic
Darchinyan fears nobody in or out of the ring.
For those who aren’t familiar with Darchinyan, there is a body
pad hanging on the side of the Team Fenech gymnasium in the Sydney
suburb of Marrickville with a handwritten inscription which reads:
“Everyone must wear a body protector when sparring Vic”.
Fenech needed little reminding of the fact local fans are expecting
nothing less than an impressive win from Darchinyan in his first
defence of the IBF flyweight crown against South African Mzukisi
Sikali at the NSW State Sports Centre tomorrow night.
“He will do the job,” Fenech said last night.
Sikali, 33, is a tough opponent with a 29-2 record. He has not been
beaten since June, 1999.
“He’s a good, smart fighter, Darchinyan said. “He can run in the ring,
but he can’t run away from me.
“Pacheco was a great champion, very strong and very tough, but people
will see that I am an even stronger fighter tomorrow night. I will
show all of Australia what I can do and how good I am.”
Darchinyan, four years Sikali’s junior, joined the Fenech camp in 2000
after fighting at the Sydney Olympic Games for Armenia. He turned
professional the same year after an amateur record of 152 wins from
170 fights.
Unbeaten in 22 professional fights, including 17 by KO, Darchinyan won
the IBF belt last December by stopping Irene Pacheco in the 11th round.
The world-title fight and undercard featuring Lovemore Ndou and Nedal
“Skinny” Hussein in separate bouts will be shown live on the Main
Event Channel and at participating hotels and clubs through Sky
Channel from 7pm (AEST).