Darchinyan stuns Mijares, unifies three titles!

In one of the biggest unification bouts in the history of the super flyweight division, Vic Darchinyan (31-1-1, 28KOs) managed to do what only a few believed that he could accomplish by thoroughly dominating the highly regarded Cristian Mijares (36-4-2, 15KOs) en route to a spectacular ninth round stoppage.

From the opening round, the very explosive Darchinyan connected with a hurtful left uppercut that sent Mijares to the canvas. Mijares managed to rise and survive the round but on unsteady legs. Darchinyan picked up where he left off in round one, beginning to utilize his awkward herky jerky style to offset the well-schooled technician and land his damaging left hand.

The masterful display of Mijares, shown in his previous outings was no where to be found, credit to the Austrilian-based Armenian’s efffective ability to time his punches to negate Mijares’ usually excessive punch output. Frustrated, Mijares continue to stalk his shorter opponent, but to no avail as Darchinyan continued to win round after round. It appeared as though Darchinyan was superior in both boxing and power, which spelled disaster for the Mexican slickster whose moderate punching power became a non-factor. In round seven, just when the tide seemingly began to turn, the now two-division champion was able to steal the round with the harder and more telling shots to the head and body. The bout came to an abrupt finish in the ninth, when Darchinyan landed a well timed right jab, followed by a devastating right hand that sent Mijares to the canvas. Referee did not bother to finish the count and called this fight to a halt at the exact 3:00 mark.

With the win, the newly crowned WBA/WBC/IBF 115lbs. champion got his redemption. It was only a year ago when the cocky power puncher was cold cocked him self by Nonito Donaire back in 2007, prompting about 90% of the experts and reporters to pick against the now vindicated three-time world champion.

“It’s a very great time for me. If you remember from the first round, I promised I’m skillful, smart and i’m going to destroy him. I told (all the reporters) I’m going to keep my promise.” said the 32 year-old champion.

Jubliant by his fighter’s win, promoter Gary Shaw joked “We’re gonna fight De La Hoya at a catch weight of 152!”

But in the end, it was all about vindication for Darchinyan who reassured by saying, “Did i keep my promise? I delivered!.”

A logical fight now appears to be a four title unification bout against another Mexican talent, Fernando Montiel or possibly a rematch with Nonito Donaire.

“In the future, maybe I can fight all the champions.”

Andre Dirrell picked up the most significant win of his progressive career after dispatching Russian power puncher Victor Ognaov in six rounds. Displaying a dazzling array of speed and combination flurries, the former U.S Olympian battered his charging foe from the opening round. Posing a much superior height in stance, Dirrell was able to set his jab to his much shorter opponent, while exploiting the openings with crisp shots to the head and body. In round three, Ognaov began to bleed from the right eye caused by Dirrell’s barrage of punches, but undeterred, the Russian continued to press the action. However, toughness couldn’t prevail as Dirrell landed a crushing left uppercut followed by a left hook to the head prompting referee Ray Corona called the bout to a halt at the :28 mark of the sixth round. Dirrell, who’s been largely criticized for his uninspiring performance debut on HBO back in 2007, now appears to have transitioned into a more exciting boxer-puncher. The elusive footwork and southpaw stance was indeed Houdini-like akin to that of the great Pernell Whitaker.

‘I knew he couldn’t handle them uppercuts. I felt great. I did my thing tonight and I became number one’, said the joyious Dirrell who now improves to 17-0 (12KOs). Oganov, who made his second appearance on Showtime, drops to 28-2, (28KOs).