CARSON, CALIF. (Nov. 1, 2008) – photo by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME — For the first time in 115-pound division history, three title belts were unified as International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan knocked out World Boxing Association (WBA)/World Boxing Council (WBC) champ Cristian Mijares Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
Darchinyan (31-1-1, 25 KOs), who had been previously known for his wild boxing style, used combinations, smart defense and polished boxing skills to control the fight and knockout the heavily favored Mijares (35-4-2, 13 KOs) in front of a largely pro-Mijares crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The fights were co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions and KO Entertainment..
Entering the ninth round, Darchinyan was leading on all three judges scorecards (79-72 on all) and dictating the pace of the fight. He scored a shocking first-round knockdown that sent Mijares to the canvas for only the second time in his accomplished career.
In the closing seconds of the ninth, Darchiyan used a solid right jab to set up a devastating straight left that landed flush to Mijares’ face knocking him to the canvas. The doctor immediately ran into the ring to attend to the fallen Mijares and the fight was called off at 3:00 of the ninth without a 10 count.
“From the first round I didn’t get stupid,” Darchinyan said. “I promised to deliver a skillful, smart fight. I promised to destroy him and knock him out. And I did that.
“Each round I caught him with hard left hands. Thank God nothing happened to him like what happened to (Victor) Burgos, because he too took a lot of lefts.
The Armenian champion promised fans and critics leading into the fight that he would defeat Mexico’s Mijares and continue his quest to become the undisputed super flyweight champion.
“To all the writers and reporters in boxing, did I keep my promise?” Darchinyan asked. “What about my pound-for-pound ranking? Mijares was No. 6.”
Mijares never seemed comfortable against the sharp Darchinyan. The crafty Mijares, who started the fight with a smirk that Darchinyan quickly wiped away with the first-round knockdown, struggled to establish his jab and get into a rhythm.
“I’m beyond disappointed,” Mijares said. “I was supposed to use more combinations. I was supposed to box him.
“I fought with my heart and not my head. I fell trap to his style.”
In the co-feature, world ranked contender Andre Dirrell kept his perfect record in tact and continued his climb in the super middleweight rankings with a sixth round KO victory over Victor Oganov.
In what was his most exciting performance as a professional, Dirrell (17-0, 12 KOs) controlled the fight from the opening bell. The WBO No. 7 ranked contender’s hand speed proved too much for the WBO No. 6 ranked Oganov (28-2, 28 KOs), who didn’t land the solid left hooks that he needed to stop the speedy Dirrell.
Entering the sixth round, Dirrell was ahead on all the scorecards and had opened a gushing cut over Oganov’s right eye. Dirrell landed a punishing uppercut followed by a powerful right hook, forcing referee Ray Corona to end matters 28 seconds into the sixth round.
“I just landed everything today,” Dirrell said. “I knew my uppercut would be my most effective tool. I didn’t expect him to be that strong, but I knew he couldn’t keep up with what I was throwing at him.”
Oganov missed wildly with many of his punches as Dirrell put on an exhibition against the previously once-beaten Oganov.
“I came to do my best and tried to win with my power punches, but I waited too long,” Oganov said. “I need more practice. It was a good lesson, but I need to practice some more boxing skills.”
Saturday’s bouts will re-air this week as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME TOO
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND STARTING 11/04 AND ENDING 12/01
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