Hello team and welcome to another bone-crunching episode of Boxing’s Midweek Meal-Ticket; the weekly piece that’s fast becoming the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s number one boxing column. This week is special because along with our regular pugilistic news, opinions and rumor coverage, we’re going to be taking a look at a boxing event that took place in Orlando, Florida and yours truly was in attendance. We are the buyer’s remorse that ruins your otherwise pleasant shopping experience. With that being said, I gave you your instructions in the dressing room, what I say you must obey – Cuidate, escucha me, toca los manos y buena suerte…Let’s get it on!
According to Boxing Scene, multi-division champion, Nonito Donaire has officially been challenged by former foe Vic Darchinyan. The two met in July of 2007 and The Raging Bull was the odds on favorite, however, Donaire stopped the Armenian’s assault in the fifth round with an absolutely perfect counter left hook to the mouth. Fast forward six years, add in a small handful of defeats between them and another opportunity for a clash between these two becomes viable. The Filipino Flash, though, seems resistant stating that if he didn’t feel comfortable making super bantamweight then he would just move up to featherweight, possibly forgoing a fight with Darchinyan.
“No matter what excuses about weight, I am still going to break you the way I made you. Do not use steroids, think about your future and your weight will be good.” Vic Darchinyan’s strongly worded E-Challenge goes on…”I remind you again. I made you, I will break you. It’s only been six years since I’ve been asking for a rematch. After I knock you out I am going for the WBC title at 122.”
The former unified super flyweight champion’s remarks speak to the fire that he seems to have to avenge the defeat to Donaire. At the time, Darchinyan was undefeated and on a massive 28 fight win streak, most of those victories coming by way of concussive knockout. Over confident and growing increasingly frustrated due to Nonito Donaire’s speed and accuracy, Vic Darchinyan walked square into a well-timed hook that left him stumbling and unable to respond to instruction.
What makes this rematch interesting is that both of these fighters have overlooked opponents in the past – both also have tendencies to look for one big punch instead of breaking down opponents with their very capable jabs and combination punching. Their stances are also opposite with Darchinyan being the southpaw.
In what could be likely be career defining fights for these two men (Donaire’s recent loss to Cuban, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Darchinyan’s defeat at the hands of Nonito Donaire), they both brought with them a sense of entitlement to the ring, perhaps buying into their own hype too heavily – training less, and talking more. In both of their instances they paid for it on the biggest stage. For Donaire, his refusal to acknowledge the brilliance of Guillermo Rigondeaux for years lead him to lose one of the most one-sided high profile fights I’ve ever seen. For Darchinyan, his unorthodox, awkward assault has almost always done the job for him, however, since that first defeat, he has dropped four decisions.
If these two actually get their paperwork in order and meet for a rematch expect explosiveness. They both have some huge things to prove, the difference between them now will be in who is getting better mental and physical preparation. Donaire has some distractions at home and showed a lack of focus recently in interviews and in the ring, whereas Vic Darchinyan has put himself back in the winner’s column with two victories and looks to be as hungry as ever to get the Filipino back in the ring with him.
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This past Saturday, from the International Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida – Set directly in the middle of the bustling Orlando tourist area, fight fans were treated to a solid, entertaining night of amateur boxing. Presented by Dynamic Fighting Championship, local crowds gathered to show their appreciation for the sport and to support the young junior Olympians that showed up to perform their craft.
In what was billed as “The Rumble On I-Drive #19”, a variety of burgeoning boxers – in all age groups – readied themselves for a life of pugilism by showing up to do their best to entertain the appreciative crowd. Some fighters were as young as eight years-old but still showed a maturity well beyond their appearance – A trait like that comes from being dedicated to something as demanding as boxing or martial arts from a young age.
All of the matches were entertaining, some were technical sets of boxing where the judge’s scores needed to be tallied for a decision (sometimes good decisions, sometimes not so much – but such is boxing), and other fights turned into bloody and bruising affairs.
In my opinion it is absolutely necessary to support boxing on the grassroots level like this in order to keep the sport thriving. Boxing doesn’t just exist on marquee and Pay-Per-View levels, but also down to Earth in the blue-collar day-to-day life that we as fans sometimes take for granted. Almost every professional fighter has a background where they became popular fighting either in the local club scene or in the amateurs, even up to the Olympics so it’s important that we as boxing fans attend these shows and support the young fighters coming up through the ranks.
Thank you for joining us this week, next time we’ll be back with your regular scheduled broadcast of Boxing’s Sunday Brunch, replete with boxing chatter, insight, random musings and as always, a bonus recipe to close the show. Stay tuned to The Boxing Tribune, Sante.
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