06.02.09 – By Alan J Kindred: This Saturday night is one of those nights that the hardcore boxing fans and experts are getting giddy like they are kids again and its Christmas morning. Its what is called a can’t miss fight. It is one you don’t want to miss and its one that in no way possible is going to be a boring fight. I highly doubt it will last until the decision is rendered and although I’m hoping for a Corrales-Castillo fight I’ll sure settle for a Hagler-Hearns..
Many experts are talking about Arce being wartorn and a bit used up even though he is the younger man by about 4 years. I beleive Arce knows he is past his best days also and thus he seems to revel in the fact that this may be his last shot at real glory. He seems more motivated and disciplined for this coming fight than I’ve seen from him in the past. Some experts are talking like Arce has no chance and that he doesn’t even belong in the ring with Darchinyan. I have to disagree with that assessment because I expect a very good and competitive fight. Arce was schooled and dismantled by the technically superior Mijares not winning but a round or two if that decision loss. Darchinyan’s style however isn’t like Mijares classical boxing defensive style. Although his awkwardness can help his defense with subtle off rythem movements Darchinyan is there to be hit and it is actually Arce who will possess the slight height advantage and a near 5 inch reach advantage. I doubt Arce will use any of that however. I did hear Arce did plan on using movement more in this fight so who knows. It is hard for an older dog to learn new tricks but thats why boxing is the theater of the unexpected.
Darchinyan after being Knocked out in startling fashion by Nonito Donaire has picked himself up and appears to be on the edge of superstardom in boxing. Even before the “fluke” many experts are calling it that, Darchinyan had an air of being invinsible. A style of what seemed to be a mix of barfighting and scary animocity Darchinyan would fearlessly walk down opponents with his hands below his waist occasionally firing a wild uppercut from any odd angle and then knocking out his opponent with the akward pressure style only to be known as Darchinyan’s. Thats not to say Darchinyan doesn’t have skills. Mijares found out the hard way. Darchinyan does possess many subtle skills particularly in feinting and judging distance with his pawing jab. His only weakness appeared to be his severe over confidence and then also maybe a suspect chin. He did walk right into the Donaire left hand and perhaps he took a lesson from that because Arce is a strong puncher and Darchinyan can’t get wreckless like he did with Donaire. If Darchinyan stays smart and boxes when he is supposed to and slugs when he is supposed to he should be able to win this fight. Arce’s one chance is to get into a war and catch Darchinyan with a bomb.
As far as the fight it self and how it breaks down I see a heck of a fight no matter the scenario or the outcome except the possibility of a cut early on and Arce is a bleeder. knock on wood that is not the case. As much as Darchinyan should box Arce and as much as Arce plans on moving and using angles I see it becoming a WAR IN A PHONEBOOTH.
Prediction – I think as soon as the bell rings or maybe after 30 seconds of feeling each other out it is going to be bombs away with a question of what will hold up the longest Darchinyan’s chin or Arce’s scar tissue. I’m gonna go against the grain here and say Arce, bleeding and staggered himself, will catch Darchinyan with enough big bombs to put him away by the 5th round. Arce KO5 Darchinyan.