Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Australia's newest stealth fighter

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Australia's newest stealth fighter

    Daily Telegraph, Australia
    May 3 2009


    Australia's newest stealth fighter

    By James Hooper
    May 03, 2009 12:00am


    IT is lunchtime on Thursday and Vic Darchinyan is cutting through the
    busy Martin Place crowd with the swagger of a world champion, all
    bling and bravado.

    He might only stand 166cm, but with a $40,000 diamond-encrusted ring
    on his left hand and a heavy golden boxing glove dangling around his
    neck, you can't miss him.

    Or so we thought. If this were Danny Green or Kostya Tszyu, there
    would be cameras whirring and a mob lined up for autographs. But for
    Darchinyan, it's a different story. Despite recently making the short
    list for the prestigious Laureus world sportsman of the year award, he
    is just another face lost in the hustle and bustle of cafes, buskers
    and business people.

    After a few minutes, a lone well-wisher rushes to congratulate the
    IBF, WBA and WBC super-flyweight title-holder. Darchinyan smiles and
    thanks him. No one else does so much as a double-take. It's some
    reception for a fighter on the cusp of greatness. Consider
    this. Darchinyan holds multiple titles, has amassed more than
    $5million and is one of the hottest properties for US television
    giant, Showtime.

    In his native homeland of Armenia, or neighbouring Russia, he is feted
    by politicians and sponsored by oil barons. By rights, when you stack
    up the six world titles from his 34 professional fights - this
    wrecking ball is entitled to be strolling around on his own planet.

    Yet, in Sydney, he's so far under the radar he hardly registers a
    blip. "You know, it doesn't bother me,'' Darchinyan said. "I can walk
    around in Sydney and not so many people know who I am, but when I'm
    overseas it's another story. In Armenia or Russia, everybody wants a
    piece of me.

    "Even in the States, the same. Yes, Australia is my home and I love
    it. But if people don't recognise me, it's OK. I'm happy.''

    If the Australian public could see inside Darchinyan's private
    gymnasium at Chiswick, this story could have a totally different
    slant. The image of a 56kg pocket rocket bench-pressing double his
    body weight would be enough to command respect from the most hardened
    gym-junkies.

    Not since Marrickville Mauler Jeff Fenech has an Australian boxer
    tried to win belts in three weight divisions. This is Darchinyan's
    next challenge. Stepping up from super-flyweight to bantamweight, he
    will meet IBF title-holder Joseph Agbeko in Miami on July 11.

    Nicknamed "King Kong'', Darchinyan will need every ounce of dynamite
    in his left hand to knock out Agbeko. If the Aussie southpaw wins,
    entry into boxing's hall of fame beckons.

    From there, the fighters Darchinyan wants to face is scary. Filipino
    Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Israel Vazquez, who are regarded as two of
    the best in the business, head the list.

    If Darchinyan meets and beats these guys, the rest of Australia will
    have to take notice.

    Even in the tough school of Martin Place on a Thursday afternoon.

    http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/ story/0,22049,25419870-5001023,00.html
Working...
X