By Tony Nobbs: Recently dethroned IBF & IBO flyweight boss Vic Darchinyan (29-1, 23 KO’s) claimed the IBO super flyweight title with a tougher than expected final round TKO over game as they come fellow southpaw Federico Catubay (20-14-3, 11 KO’s) at the Auburn RSL in Sydney’s West tonight (Saturday). Going in, sports bookies never even bothered running with this fight as Sydney’s Armenian Olympian Darchynian was such an overwhelming favorite. The fight went according to script for the most part but the 27 year old underdog from The Philippines did his very best to make a fight of it and displayed not only an array of awkward blows but literally more balls than Club Keno. He knocked Darchinyan of balance in the sixth round with a wide shot and only the ropes saved Vic from visiting the canvas. A knockdown could have been called but it wasn’t..
Still it was enough to give the visitor a “sympathy” round 10-9. Vic regained control in the seventh with a three punch salvo producing a knockdown of hos own. Vic continued the dominance for the remainder and apart from a brief spurt in the final seconds of the tenth was not really bothered. The left uppercut was the money punch and brilliant young trainer Billy Hussein and corner man Angelo Hyder reminded their charge between rounds. In the eleventh it got home flush and Catubay suffered another knockdown. Round twelve was all Vic and he blasted home several telling shots before referee Gary Dean intervened with 54 seconds on the clock. In a way, disappointment that Federico did not score a moral victory lasting the route but a boxers safety is first and foremost importance.
With the win, Vic, 31, also picked up the IBF Pan Pacific belt and is reportedly eyeing new IBF champ Dimitri Kirilov. That will be a very good match up and if the Russian can survive Darchynian’s early onslaughts he will be able to zero in as the fight progresses. Vic entered the ring rated # 6 by IBF at 115, # 3 by IBO computerized listings. Federico # 31 IBO.
In a previous visit to Sydney, Catubay was halted in three rounds by Darchynian’s stablemate Hussein Hussein, older brother of trainer Billy, for the OPBF flyweight strap.
In another title fight on the card, Australian lightweight champion Lenny Zappavigna (11-0, 8 whacks) scored a three round TKO over number four contender Ryan Langham (9-1, 5 KO’s).
Things got off to a fabulous start for Ryan as he dropped Lenny with a short left hand in the early part of round one. However that’s as good as it got for the 2004 Olympian. A short right over the top as Ryan was pulling Lenny down resulted in a hard knockdown. Langham then produced a tackle that could see him picked in any A grade park Rugby League side getting through the round.
Two knock downs in round two and another couple in the third saw the towel come in from the challengers corner. A good victory for Zappavigna, 19, who won bronze at last years Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Back to the drawing board for the rangy southpaw Langham, 25, who looked to exchange too much and paid the price. As an amateur Ryan had an RSC win over current top 15 WBC & WBA 130 pounder Vitaly Tarjbert in Germany. He won the WBF Asia Pacific super feather belt in August ’06.
A star is born. “Cool” William Kickett, (7-0, 4 KO’s) an Aboriginal superstar in the making scored a tremendous first round TKO over proven PABA super featherweight champ Jun Paderna (8-8, 4 KO’s) The Philippines in a lightweight six rounder. Paderna, 24, no shot duck, never in it. Down from a right hand and taking punishment when ref stopped contest. Prior to the fight, this had distance written all over it. Kickett, 20, is the Australian 130 lb champ and can be anything. He looks to be a humble youngster with his feet on the ground despite being regarded by trainer of 4 world champions Johnny Lewis as the next Lionel Rose. He is part of the Craig Christian stable and is set to fight on the Chris John WBA featherweight title under card in Indonesia. He is a regular sparing mate of John, also trained by Christian. Kickett is a cousin of AFL star Darryl and he had only 30 amateur bouts behind him as a junior.
West Sydney’s Matt Paulley (15-5-4, 6 KO’s), ex national 140 lb champion, scored a TKO in round three over stocky Thai Manfa Luksaikongdin (reportedly 14-10, 4 KO’s) at welterweight, set for six.
Paulley, in a shock, cut in the first. Matt (Australian # 3 @ 147 lb) did some good work but Manfa a little out of his league.
A brief knockdown in round three, Manfa on his feet at the end. Both lefties.
Popular local Bill Kalache needed just 24 seconds to make his pro debut one to remember. Two knockdowns, both from power laden right hands, ended his light heavyweight four rounder with Steve Timbii (0-3). Kalache, a kick boxer of note trained by Billy Husein.
In the opener Nick Buonova (3-0, 2 KO) scored a workman like two round TKO over over matched Aaron Ryan (0-3) in a light middleweight scheduled for four. An outclassed Ryan saved by no nonsense ref Ian Fear who is just quietly one of the best young refs out there.
Promoter: Gary Shaw Productions,
Match Maker: Angelo Hyder,