A repeat for Nonito Donaire Jr., or a revenge for Vic Darchinyan?
Six years after their first meeting, Donaire and Darchinyan meet inside the ring again as part of the main undercard of the Mikey Garcia-Roman `Rocky’ Martinez for the junior lightweight title on Sunday (Manila time) in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 30-year-old Donaire knocked out Darchinya in the fifth round of their 2007 title fight for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight with a solid left hook to the jaw. It was the first pro career defeat for the cocky Armenian.
“It was the only knockdown in my life – amateur or professional,” Darchinyan recalled. “Never been knocked down.”
Now 37, Darchinyan gets a chance to redeem himself against his long-time nemesis when the two clashes again at the American Bank Center.
“I want to say to everyone I have been waiting six years. It was my mistake and I have good skills and I have power and I will not make the mistake again,” said Darchinyan, owner of 39-5-1 record, with 28 KOs.
The fight is set for 10 rounds as both fighters will be fighting in the featherweight class for the first time.
Donaire and Darchinyan both weighed-in at 125 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday.
But the Filipino warrior, a two-time world champion who sports a record of 21-2 (20 KOs), is coming off the first loss of his career in the last 12 years after he was dethroned as world super-bantamweight champion by Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux last April via unanimous decision.
Darchinyan said the loss to Rigondeaux obviously showed Donaire is mortal.
“I think he was exposed in his loss to Rigondeaux,” said the Armenian. “I know personally he is a good guy, but about skills and power, he should not be pound-for-pound.”
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