Photo: Jorge Garcia — A weary Christian Mijares kicks back in his hotel room late Tuesday after arriving in Los Angeles from Mexico. It had been a long couple of days and nights for the WBC/WBA 115-pound champion, who faces his IBF counterpart, Vic Darchinyan, in a highly anticipated world title unification fight this Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast.).
The previous 36-48 hours for Mijares included a Mexico City airport press conference during his layover from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico, a late arrival to Los Angeles International Airport (1 a.m. Tuesday) and an early visit to the doctor to complete the necessary medical exams.
“My preparation in Gomez Palacio was top-notch, perfect,” Mijares said. “I have done all the hard work in camp and I can’t wait to shut Darchinyan up. I’ve been hearing that he thinks I’m overrated. Not only is he mistaken but he will be overly surprised with what I will do with him at the Home Depot Center.”
Of his first fight in California, Mijares added, “I’m proud to finally be able to show the fans of Los Angeles what I can do in the ring. I want to give everyone a great show and I hope all the fans will be there to cheer me on.”
Tickets, priced at $25 to $250, are on sale at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10 a.m-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone (213-480-3232). The Home Depot Box Office will open at 10 a.m. the day of the event.
The fight card, which includes an excellent 10-round match between world ranked super middleweights, undefeated Andre Dirrell and once-beaten Victor Oganov, is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and KO Entertainment. The first live fight is at 4 p.m. PT. Doors open at 3.
Vic Darchinyan, Cristian Mijares Quotes and Predictions
29.10.08 – International Boxing Federation (IBF) 115-pound champion Vic Darchinyan, undefeated, world-ranked super middleweight Andre Dirrell and once-beaten, world-ranked 168-pound contender Victor Oganov participated in an open media Tuesday in Long Beach, Calif., Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KOs) will face World Boxing Association (WBA)/World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares (35-3-2, 13 KOs) in an eagerly awaited 115-pound world title unification showdown this Saturday, Nov. 1, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Dirrell (16-0, 11 KOs) meets Oganov (28-1, 28 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
Tickets, priced at $25 to $250, are on sale at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10 a.m-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone (213-480-3232). The Home Depot Box Office will open at 10 a.m. the day of the event.
The fight card is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions and KO Entertainment.
What the fights said Tuesday:
VIC DARCHINYAN
“He is a very good fighter, but when he feels my punches he will feel different. He’s fought some tough guys, but no one like me.
“I know when I’m talking that I will deliver. I’m going to be too much for him. He’s overrated.
“I’ve fought southpaws before. It’s no different for me.
“I’m going to do some boxing. You’re going to see how fast and smart I am on Saturday.
“I’m going to put on a show for my Armenian fans at The Home Depot Center.
“I’m very confident and ready for this fight. I’m ready to fight anyone.
“I think I am the best fighter he has ever, and will ever, fight. His style is an amateur style. I will deliver.
“I want to become the undisputed world champion after this fight.
“On Saturday, you’re going to see a different Vic Darchinyan. I won’t try to take him out with just one punch. You’re going to see a much smarter Vic on Saturday night.
“Mijares is a very good fighter, but that’s OK when you fight someone that doesn’t have the power that I have. He’s fought guys that don’t have my power.
“The Mexican fans are going to support me because they are going to see a warrior. They like to see warriors and they will see it in me on Saturday.
“People pay the money and they want to see exciting fights. I’ll give it to them on Saturday.
“In my one loss my opponent didn’t beat me, I beat myself. You won’t see any of that against Mijares. I’m going to prove that I am focused to be the undisputed world champion.
“All I’m thinking about is this fight. I haven’t been this excited and dedicated since my first world title fight.
“The only fight I wanted was Mijares. I want to fight who everyone thinks is the best so I can prove that I’m the best.”
ANDRE DIRRELL
“I’m well prepared for this fight. I know he is a knockout artist, so I’ve been training with guys who can knock me out. I am mentally and physically prepared.
“I’m in tip-top shape. All I have to do is use what I’ve been working on in training camp and show the viewers on SHOWTIME and the fans at The Home Depot Center that I am an exciting fighter.
“There’s a saying in boxing that goes ‘You can’t knockout everyone.’ I’m not going to take him lightly, but I’m ready.
“Right after this fight I’m looking for a world title. I’m looking to go up the ladder as fast as possible.
“I just want to become the best as soon as possible. I need a big win on Saturday to do that, so you better believe I’m ready.
“Look out. I’m on the map now and I’m going to become No. 1 soon.
VICTOR OGANOV
“He is a good technical boxer and he will be smart in the ring, but I have the muscle and the power. Muscle and power will beat techniques and smarts.
“This is the first time in my career that I have had a great training camp. I’ve been training with Vic (Darchinyan) and it has been going great. I’m very fortunate to be training with Vic. He is a big man with a big heart.
“I know that Saturday night is a big opportunity for me on SHOWTIME. I have not taken this fight lightly.
“I’m going to do the best that I can. I think it’s going to be a good fight.
“We have a good game plan and we will use it.”
HOW THEY PICK ‘EM: MOST EXPERTS THINK MIJARES IS CLEAR FAVORITE TO DEFEAT DARCHINYAN AND UNIFY TITLE
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2008) – Both WBA and WBC super flyweight champion
Cristian Mijares and IBF 115-pound kingpin Vic Darchinyan will look to add to their belt collection when they square off in a highly anticipated world title unification fight in the main event this Saturday, Nov. 1, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
So who is going to triumph? The experts think Mijares is too skilled a boxer to let the power-punching Darchinyan beat him.
Of the 32 boxing media members who participated in a SHOWTIME Prediction Poll, 26 picked Mijares and six liked Darchinyan.
Here’s how they see the Mijares-Darchinyan world title unification fight:
Robert Morales, Los Angeles Daily News/Long Beach Press Telegram (Mijares): “Mijares is a more technically sound fighter. He is going to frustrate the wild-swinging Darchinyan. Mijares will wind up hurting him late with counter shots. Not sure he will stop Darchinyan, but he might.”
Kevin Iole, Yahoosports.com (Mijares): “Mijares is a brilliant boxer. Darchinyan throws wide punches and Mijares will have no problem seeing them and getting out of the way of them. It should be a boxing clinic by one of the game’s best-kept secrets. Mijares wins by decision in 12 rounds.”
J. Michael Falgoust, USA Today (Mijares): “Mijares is a terrific boxer, but Darchinyan’s boxing skills leave much to be desired. Darchinyan has a puncher’s chance, of course, because Mijares sometimes nullifies his height. He is often found bending over at the waist which obviously gives up his height advantage, and other times he stands too tall and in range of an opponent. That said, Darchinyan is not without a chance, but Mijares wins a decision.”
Steve Kim, MaxBoxing.com, (Mijares): “Not only do I think that Mijares is a master boxer, he’s also the natural 115-pounder. Mijares will outpoint the puncher (Darchinyan).”
Tim Smith, New York Daily News (Mijares): “Darchinyan is a good fighter but the thing I don’t like about him is the thing that makes him good: his fool-hardy aggressiveness. Mijares will take advantage and win by seventh-round TKO.”
Dan Rafael, ESPN.com (Mijares): “This could be a lot like Mijares’ fight against another hard-puncher, Jorge Arce. Darchinyan is an exciting, aggressive guy but Mijares is more skillful, faster and knows how to avoid punches. Simply, he is a much better overall fighter. Mijares wins a lopsided decision in what
probably will still be an exciting fight to watch.”
Steve Farhood, SHOWTIME (Mijares): “Mijares wins all 12 rounds. It’s about time American fans came to realize just how good this guy is.”
Chris Cozzone, Fightnews.com (Mijares): “Darchinyan has already shown flaws against a superior boxer. I believe Mijares has the chin to check anything Darchinyan throws at him. Mijares by decision.”
Michael David Smith, AOL (Mijares): “Darchinyan has good punching power for a man his size. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sends Mijares to the canvas. But Mijares is the best boxer under 120 pounds in the world and he will wear Darchinyan down over 12 rounds and win a decision.”
Paul Upham, SecondsOut.com (Darchinyan): “Mijares should be the favorite going in, but Darchinyan’s aggressive nature and punching power have been irresistible on all occasions which is one of the reasons why SHOWTIME has taken such a liking to the Raging Bull from Armenia. Mijares’ skills and toughness should give Darchinyan some problems, but if Vic detonates one of his power shots, the Mexican will need to be strong to resist the KO. Darchinyan wins a close points decision.”
Ramon Aranda, 411mania.com (Mijares): “This one could go either way especially with Darchinyan’s awkward style and punishing bombs. Vic could very well stun Mijares early in the fight but with Mijares’ increasingly proficient boxing skills, he’ll weather Darchinyan’s storm and outbox him for the remainder of the bout. Mijares will win by a comfortable margin.”
Darius Ortiz, ESPN.com (Darchinyan): “If Cristian Mijares thinks he’ll handle Vic Darchinyan the same way he did Jorge Arce, he has a whole other thing coming. Darchinyan throws punches from angles and positions that no Mijares sparring partner can possibly replicate. I say the Armenian pit bull sinks his teeth into Mijares by the middle rounds and takes him down in the ninth.”
Michael Swann, 15 Rounds.com (Mijares): “Cristian Mijares is a talented stylist who is in his prime at 27. Vic Darchinyan is all offense and can end it with one punch but, at age 32, will he be able to avoid the shots before he delivers? Mijares scores a unanimous decision.”
Phil Woolever, TheSweetScience.com (Darchinyan): “While it’s no stretch of the imagination to foresee Mijares pitching a southpaw shutout, I think that being derailed and defeated strengthened Darchinyan’s resolve to the point he’ll be able to work his way in effectively enough to win.”
Scott Swerbinsky, TheClevelandFan.com (Mijares): “This is potentially the fight of the year.
Speed and counter punching will be the difference. Mijares by a close, hard-fought decision.”
Neil Fletcher, British-Weekly.com (Mijares): “Mijares is a good boxer with excellent movement. Darchinyan is a power punching southpaw who must chase his opponent down and land his left to be effective. Too close to call with any certainty, but the call is Mijares by decision.”
Lyle Fitzsimmons, Sportsnetwork.com (Mijares): “Darchinyan is clearly the puncher and is more likely to record a highlight-reel victory, but absent of that, I can see Mijares simply confusing and out-skilling him. If he avoids the fireworks early, look for him to spread the margin in the homestretch. Mijares records a decision.”
Hesiquio Balderas, El Tuxtepecano (Mijares): “Mijares is going to win because he is a smart boxer who creates angles and openings and can put his combinations together. He is a very smart, technical fighter and also his timing is perfect as he showed against hard punchers such as Alex Muñoz and Jorge Arce. Mijares registers a 12-round decision.”
Dan Hernandez, RingSideReport.com (Darchinyan): “With the heavyweights in such a dismal state, it’s good to see the lower divisions doing their best to be the standard bearers for boxing. Darchinyan’s power, determination and skill level will prevail. A knockout victory would not be a surprise.”
Phil Santos, Overhandright.com (Mijares): “Vic has the punching power but he does not possess the technical skills to outbox Mijares or penetrate his stellar defense. The match will unfold much like Mijares-Arce with Cristian controlling the action and decisively outclassing the ever-aggressive Darchinyan. Mijares unifies the belts by unanimous decision or late stoppage.”
Rusty Rubin, Ringsports.com (Darchinyan): “Darchinyan has been through the wars and will have to work hard to win this tough battle with Mijares. It’s tough action fight and probably will have some blood flowing. I’ll take Darchinyan by a late stoppage.”
Ace Freeman, FightFan.com (Mijares): “This is a classic boxer vs. puncher matchup between two exciting fighters. Mijares is somewhat of a hidden gem when it comes to pound-for-pound discussions, but he will soundly outbox Vic and catch him with some big counter punches en route to a late stoppage.”
Carlos Rivera, Cox3 News (Mijares): “Styles and personalities aside, Mijares will retain his WBC/WBA belts (and capture the IBF) in a decision.”
Diane Bennett, DiamondBoxing.com (Mijares): “It should be an exciting 12 rounds with Mijares bringing his tool box of skills, which include speed, defense and counter punching abilities to the ring to offset the Darchinyan power. Mijares will box his way to a decision victory and keep his six-year unbeaten streak in tack.”
Henry Bedoy, Boxingstars.net (Mijares): “Mijares is simply too fast and crafty for the vulnerable Vic Darchinyan. Mijares by late TKO.”
Michael Amakor, FightKings.com (Mijares): “I will pick the southpaw boxer every day over a banger like Darchinyan. Mijares is younger and appears calmer too. Mijares will win.”
Mijares and Darchinyan will hold the final press conference before their highly anticipated 115-pound world title unification fight this Saturday, Nov. 1, live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
At the press conference SHOWTIME ring announcer Jimmy Lennon will officiate a coin toss between Mijares’ promoter Lou DiBella and Darchinyan’s promoter Gary Shaw to determine their fighter’s respective corners.
In the weeks leading to the fight there has been a war of words between Mijares and Darchinyan. Thursday’s press conference will be the final verbal battle before the warriors clash in the ring on Saturday from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Tickets, priced at $25 to $250, are on sale at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10 a.m-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone (213-480-3232). The Home Depot Box Office will open at 10 a.m. the day of the event.
The fight card, which includes an excellent 10-round match between world-ranked super middleweights, undefeated Andre Dirrell and once-beaten Victor Oganov, is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and KO Entertainment. The first live fight is at 4 p.m. PT. Doors open at 3.