By Ronnie Nathanielsz –
Former three division world champion Vic Darchinyan is seeking to avenge his stunning 5th round knockout by four division champion and 2012 “Fighter of the Year” Nonito “The Filipino Flash” on July 7, 2007 when they face off in a rematch at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 10, Manila Time.
Darchinyan’s manager Frank Espinoza told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Darchinyan was “doing very well in training” and works out at the Glendale Boxing Gym in California.
He said since the fight will be a ten round, featherweight bout Darchinyan has no problems making the weight. It will be the first 126 pound fight for both Donaire and Darchinyan.
Espinoza told the Standard that Darchinyan “is getting ready and is looking for redemption. He has waited six years for this fight and wants to take advantage of the chance to avenge the loss of his IBF and IBO flyweight belts to Donaire.”
The manager said Darchinyan has been sparring with former two-time Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez who has a record of six knockouts in six wins as a pro and became the first Mexican Youth World Champion.
Espinoza reported that another sparring mate of Darchinyan is undefeated Australian IBO super featherweight champion Will Tomlinson who has a record of 21-0-1 with 12 knockouts..
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us last Monday before his return to the US after checking on Manny Pacquiao’s training for the showdown with Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in Macau on November 24 noted that Donaire will have a tough fight on his hands against Drachinyan “who really launched Donaire’s career” when he lost in July 2007.
Arum described his Corpus Christi event as “a great card” with former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia who he said “is a sensational fighter” going up against Ramon “Rocky” Martinez for the Puerto Rican’s junior lightweight title in the main event which Arum indicated “should be a terrific fight” and Vanes Martirosyan fighting for the vacant junior middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade with undefeated Jamaican Nicholas Walters (22-0, 18 KO’s) taking on Alberto Garza (25—5-1, 20 KO’s) of Mexico for the WBO featherweight title.
Meantime, Donaire who has been working out at trainer Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard has had his father, Nonito “Dodong” Donaire Sr also helping in preparing Nonito for his first fight as a featherweight and by all indications Donaire Sr has been a welcome addition to the training camp.
Arum said that during a meeting with ABS-CBN’S Gabby Lopez and Peter Musgni he was told that the giant broadcast network “is going to take all four fights.”
http://www.boxingscene.com/vic-darchinyan-looking-redemption-with-donaire–71125
