Connect with us

Articles of 2009

No New Title For Darchinyan; Agbeko Bests Evil Vic

Published

on

The leap from super flyweight to bantamweight doesn’t seem like a massive leap to the average man. What’s three pounds, after all? Vic Darchinyan knows, after Joseph Agbeko, a strong, somewhat awkward, elusive hitter from Ghana clued him in at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. on Saturday evening. Darchinyan quite likely will skedaddle back to the 115 pound class, as Agbeko scored a unanimous decision (116-111, 114-113, 114-113) victory, showing the sport’s master trash talker that he can match him in the ring, as well as he matched him in the pre-fight trash-talk wars.

The scrap was no classic, as both men worked in a herky jerky style. But “King Kong” Agbeko’s power and defensive prowess was apparent from round one, and Darchinyan had to sense that securing a belt in a third class would perhaps have to wait for another day.

The winner spoke to Jim Gray after. “This is not King Kong the movie, this is King Kong in the ring,” he said. “I want to take it to the next level, and I know Vic can never stop my dream.”

Vic post-bout looked like he’d tried to make out with a weed whacker. He said he tried to load up with the left too much, and admitted his tactics were not wise. He applauded Agbeko’s movement, but would not concede that Agbeko is the better man overall. On this night, yes. My two cents: on most nights, Vic.

 Agbeko (from Accra, Ghana, now living in NY; age 29; 116 ½ pounds on Friday;  26-1 entering) put up his IBF bantamweight title against Darchinyan (former fly champ, current super fly champ; from Armenia, living in Australia; age 33; 117 ½; 32-1-1 coming).

Tommy Kimmons acted as the referee, and was in the gunsight of Agbeko’s promoter, Don King, afterwards. “You did it man, that was a crooked referee, the worst I’ve ever seen,” he thundered. “You did it, you did it anyway. No fair play at all, no fair play. The worst I’ve ever seen!”

In the first, Evil Vic got in Kong’s face. The lefthander was a little herky jerky, as usual, and he showed that he respected the Ghanian from the start. Kong buckled EV, with a right, at the 45 second mark. In the second, Kong led with the right, which Vic often slipped. Vic had a nick over his left eye, but it didn’t look worrisome. In the third, Vic still hadn’t figured out his man, or his man’s rhythm. The Ghanian is active defensively, and weaves a lot, like EV. They both whaled away with ten seconds to go. The fight was no sweet science primer to this point.

In the fourth, Vic’s balance was messy at times, and his jab was AWOL. His crackerjack left landed a few times, but nothing truly troubled Kong. Kong’s lead right was his most effective weapon, but his volume wasn’t overwhelming. In the fifth, the sloppiness reached a new high, or low. Both men were loading up too much, and their accuracy suffered. In the sixth, Kong’s right was working. He caused some bruising under Vic’s left eye, and his stamina looked to be top shelf. In the seventh, Vic landed some, but nothing he was landing was too worrying to the bantamweight. A punch that might’ve wounded a lighter weight man wasn’t in the same league on this night, to this point. And then, bang, Vic scored a knockdown, at the 3:10 mark. A left hand/push combo did the trick in the overtime period, which went an extra minute on the timekeeper’s screwup. In the eighth, Kong dialed in. His right hand was still swift and sharp, and Vic was wild and wide. EV rarely likes to keep his hands up in high guard, of course, so Kong looked to exploit that. The two men scrapped after the bell.

In the ninth round, Vic’s energy level looked impressive. In the 10th, a meaner cut opened over Vic’s right eye, from a accidental butt. He mauled and brawled, and so did the man from Accra. In the 11th, Vic moved more, and sniped away. Kong plugged away; it was another tight round. In the 12th round, Kong’s straight right scored in the best launch of the round. Vic’s right eye streamed blood by the fight’s close. Agbeko and his squad acted like the victors afterwards, as Vic went back to his corner, and his cutman did some mopup work. We’d go to the cards.

In the TV opener, Mexico’s Antonio DeMarco (21-1 coming in) met Anges Adjaho (from Benin, West Africa; 25-1 entering) in a lightweight tangle. DeMarco sent his man down with a straight left, which put him down, on his own volition in the ninth. He went to take a knee, and then DeMarco advanced on him, and hit him behind the head with a weak left. Adjaho complained, then turned on his belly, and buried his head in his gloves. He was hoping the ref would DQ DeMarco for a foul, but the ref didn’t cooperate. The ref counted, and reached a ten count. Game over for Adjaho. The official time was 2:59 of the ninth. The ref Tellis Assemenios explained himself to Jim Gray after. The ref seemed a bit confused, but did say he didn’t see the knee touch the ground. “I’d like to see the replay,” he admitted. “The knee’s not down,” the ref said, excitedly, as he saw the replay. The loser said he was indeed on a knee to Gray and also said he was hurt, badly, from the blow behind the head. “I thought I was winning the fight,” he said. The judges had it a draw to that point, FYI. Press row saw Adjaho up, all three scorers (Jake Donovan Santos Perez, Karl Freitag).

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending