Vic Darchinyan retains IBF title

28.03.05 – By Tony Nobbs: IBF Flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan made a successful first defence and added the IBO title by stopping South African Mzukisi Sikali in an entertaining “unification” at the State Sports Centre in Homebush on Easter Sunday night. In a battle of left handers, it was Darchinyan’s vaunted power that told in the end and Sikali, who looked to be wilting in the seventh round pulled a “no mas” at 2 min 22 seconds of round eight.. He’d been hurt through the round and a short right uppercut was the last punch of the fight.

Not an action packed slugfest but a good match between a still progressing champion and a skilful but slow veteran. Sikali did a good job standing in front of Vic and making him miss but his counters lacked the pep to seriously fluster Sydney’s Armenian Olympian who loaded up just about everything as usual and dug in some telling shots to the body and uppercuts to the head. The visitor was only going to take stiff punishment had he continued. Both fighters ended up with cuts and swelling and ‘the victor’ looked to be tiring in the fifth before turning it back on.

Darchinyan won the IBF title from long time champ Irene Pacheo via eleven round TKO December last and called out WBA title holder Lorenzo Parra after the fight. He has been the flag bearer for Team Fenech fighters in world title bouts.

In the undercard action IBF light welter Pan Pac Champ Lovemore Ndou knocked out Jesar Anjeras The Philippines in round two. A left to the body. The visitor had gone eight with Noefel Ben Rabah, the West Australian hope who has been calling Ndou out for a long time.

Nadel Hussein needed just 36 seconds to dispose of Tanzanian Obete Ameme. Two left rips and Ameme fell along the ropes. This was Hussein’s first bout back since dropping a lack lustre unanimous decision for the WBC 122 lb belt
in the Barrera-Morales 3 chief support.

2004 Australian Olympic boxing team captain Jamie Pittman dominated a game Peter Brennan over six. All judges had it 60-52. Southpaw super middleweight Pittman looks classy but there is still a lot of work to be done.

In a battle of 21 year olds, Jnr lightweight Ahmed Elomar, from the impressive Billy Hussein stable outpointed once promising Filipino Rolando Gerongco in a willing six rounder. The tough Rolando, who weighted lightweight, has lost six straight (some close decisions) and is in desperate need of a win to get his career going again or risk the danger of becoming a plodding trial horse.

Former amateur star Chris Hamilton knocked out once dangerous Sam Setu in round three. A southpaw left did the job. Middleweight Hamilton had around 3 ½ kg pull in weights.

Off TV: Lance Gostellow (64.7 kg) ko 4 Jamie Waru (68.45kg) and Mark Hipwell w maj 4 Ryan Waters at jnr middle.