Vic Darchinyan got his comeback KO over Filipino Federico Catubay in Sydney last night but it took him nearly the full 12 rounds against a very brave and frustrating opponent. Darchinyan scored a 12th round TKO with just 57sec remaining against so-tough Catubay at the Auburn RSL. The fight was for the IBO and IBF Australasian super-flyweight titles.
The Filipino lasted just three rounds against Darchinyan’s stablemate Hussein Hussein in 2005 but gave Darchinyan a much tougher fight last night.
It was Darchinyan’s first fight since losing his IBF and IBO world flyweight titles to Filipino Nonito Donaire in July and he immediately called out Donaire for a rematch.
Catubay, hair dyed blond and with a snarl on his face, took a couple of power left hands from his fellow southpaw in round one but bravely taunted Darchinyan every time the Aussie landed.
In round two the Filipino managed to land a couple of solid lefts to cause swelling under Darchinyan’s right eye but by the end of the round Darchinyan was starting to land solid left uppercuts and body shots.
In the third round Darchinyan absorbed a huge left as he attacked but dominated the round with his power and it was the same story in round four as he kept the Filipino under pressure throughout.
Catubay absorbed another beating in round six but managed to drive Darchinyan into the ropes with a wild right hand haymaker, his best punch of the fight.
Finally Catubay went down in round seven but he was on his feet quickly and stayed competitive until the bell.
The Filipino was wobbled again at the round of nine but came out in round 10 determined to go the distance and swarmed over Darchinyan at the end of the round.
Darchinyan dropped him again in round 11 but Catubay jumped straight back into the fight.
Finally in round 12, though, the constant punishment took its toll on the brave Catubay as Darchinyan cut loose.
Referee Garry Dean gave the Filipino every chance to last the distance after such a gallant fight but finally had to step in at 2min 3sec with Catubay badly hurt and unable to defend himself.
“I’m very happy,” Darchinyan said. “I lost my last fight to Donaire but I learned from my mistake. In that fight I rushed too much and got careless.
“My promoter wants to promote a rematch between me and Donaire early in the new year.”
Darchinyan is now 29-1 (23 KOs), Catubay 20-14-3 (11 KOs).
Earlier former Australian champ Mathew Paulley survived a cut over his left eye to stop welterweight Manfa Luksaikongdin of Thailand at 1 min 57sec of round three.
