Aussie Vic Darchinyan says he will be in the best shape of his career physically and psychologically when he tackles Filipino Z Gorres, pictured.
The IBF super-flyweight eliminator is set for March 1, on the undercard to the Israel Vasquez vs Rafael Marquez rematch for the WBC super-bantamweight title.
“Vic will be in the best shape he’s ever been in,” said Darchinyan’s trainer Billy Hussein.
“His win over Federico Catubay on October 20 was just the performance we wanted. He took his time, showed a great deal of patience and got some good rounds in against a tough opponent.
“The fight went into the 12th rounds but only because Vic waited until the last round to really open up.
“Gorres can expect those sorts of power shots from the opening bell.
“We have a lot of respect for Gorres. He’s a very good fighter and this will be a tough bout for Vic.
“But Vic has learned a lot form his loss to Nonito Donaire and you will see the very best of Vic Darchinyan when he fights Gorres. He will be the same force he was in the higher divisions as he was as a flyweight.”
The Gorres-Darchinyan fight is likely to take place in Las Vegas.
Darchinyan is 29-1 (23 KOs). He lost his IBF and IBO flyweight titles by a fifth-round knockout against another Nonito Donaire in July and stopped Catubay in round 12 on October 20.
Gorres (27-2-1, KO 15) lost a controversial decision to WBO super-flyweight champ Fernando Montiel of Mexico in June, but stopped another Mexican Eric Ortiz in August.
The March 1 bout will decide the top contender for Dimitri Kirilov’s IBF super-flyweight crown.
