Aussie world champ Vic Darchinyan talks about unifying the Super flyweight title and putting people in comas.
Before you fought Mexican bloke Christian Mijares to become undisputed Super flyweight champ, you were talking plenty of trash. Were you trying to rattle him?
It was just because everyone was saying he has great speed, and that he would win. But when I saw the videos I knew I could be faster than him, and knew I could beat him.
You were right in your prediction that the Mexican crowd wouldn’t have much to cheer about.
I didn’t just predict the crowd would go quiet, I said everything. I said from the start, I’m going to slow him down, I’m going to be faster than him, I’m going to punish him, bash him, then knock him out. And it happened exactly as I said.
How did you feel when you dropped him in the first?
I’m very glad I didn’t knock him out in the first, because people would have said, “It was a lucky punch, if it went more rounds Mijares would have outsmarted and outpointed him.” By the end of nine rounds, they gave him only one round.
How was he after you beat him senseless?
He was giving congratulations at the press conference. It was like I said, “After the fight he’s going to be a nice guy, because he’ll see I’m much better than him.”
Do you people try and pick you outside of the ring?
Oh, yeah, when I was an amateur fighting for Ukraine and Russia, people would recognise me, and they were drunk and they would try and prove something. But I don’t like fighting in the street. I show my power in the ring.
After you fought Victor Burgos he needed brain surgery and was put in a coma. Do you worry about killing in the ring?
If I put that in my mind and worry about putting people in hospital, I can’t be a good sportsman. I choose this profession, and they’ve chosen. We know it can happen. I know the damage I can do. I had many fights as amateur, with bigger gloves, and I broke many ribs.
Does it frustrate you that a boxer like Anthony Mundine, who hasn’t achieved all you have, gets more publicity?
Mundine was already a big rugby league player, while even though I’ve become Australian I wasn’t born here — I’ve only been in Australia [after growing up in Armenia] for eight years — so I understand. Also, boxing isn’t the one of the biggest sports in Australia. I used to worry about how I could fight for the world title and not be recognised. Now it doesn’t bother me. I’m not one to pay too much attention.
Chris Ryan
Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan
No bull, just the stats
Born: Vanadzor, Armenia
Based: Sydney, Australia
Age: 32
Height: 166cm
Weight: 52kg
Division: Super flyweight
Amateur record: 158W (KO 105) 18L
Pro record: 31W (KO 25) 1L (KO 1) 1D
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