by James Slater – Armenian-born banger Vic Darchinyan, who failed in his bid to become the holder of a world title at bantamweight last time out in losing a decision to Joseph Agbeko, has dropped back down to super-flyweight. Still the holder of two major belts at 115-pounds – Vic has vacated his IBF 115-pound title, The Sydney Morning Herald reports – “The Raging Bull” is expected to be back in action in December.
In suffering what is only the second defeat of his career against Agbeko a few weeks back, Darchinyan also picked up a number of cuts on his eyebrows, and the reason the 33-year-old has dropped his IBF belt is because an IBF mandatory defence was expected around October.. This, according to Vic’s manager, Elias Nassar, would have been too soon for the cuts to have healed properly; hence the vacating of the IBF strap.
Set to come back at his proven weight of 115, Darchinyan, Nassar told The Sydney Morning Herald, will likely make a mandatory defence of his WBC title against Mexico’s Tomas Rojas on the first Saturday in December (reportedly, Vic’s WBA belt will also be on the line in the fight.) The fight with Rojas, 31-11-1(22) is not yet signed, Nassar says, but is “in the process of being finalised.”
Of greater interest to fans no doubt, is the possibility, according to Nassar, that Darchinyan, who may one day move back up to bantamweight, may stick around at super-fly for a rematch with the man who KO’d him in five-sensational rounds back in 2007 – Nonito Donaire. Should this rematch take place and should Darchinyan manage to get revenge, the Australian citizen’s loss to Agbeko will become but a distant memory.
Darchinyan-Donaire II would be a hugely anticipated event were it to get signed, and Darchinyan’s reputation would be given a huge boost if he were to take the risky return. First things first though, and Darchinyan must look to take care of Mexico’s Rojas.
A southpaw like Darchinyan, 29-year-old Rojas has been a pro since 1996 and the man nicknamed “Gusano” has been in with some good men. Sure, with 11 losses on it, Rojas’ record isn’t much to look at, but he’s only ever been stopped once; by a body shot Jorge Arce hit him with seven fights ago in September of 2007. Since then Rojas has won five on the bounce, with one draw.
Tall for the weight at 5’8.5,” and with a listed reach of 67,” Rojas would have the advantage over Darchinyan in these two departments if nothing else.
No disrespect aimed at Rojas, a tough and hard working pro, but hopefully, if he beats him, Darchinyan can then give us the rematch with Donaire that we all want to see.