FORMER flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan has learned his lessons and vowed not be knocked out a second time by the Philippines?s Nonito Donaire Jr.
Donaire scored a stunning fifth-round knockout of Darchinyan six years ago and they will clash anew in a 10-round non-title bout on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christ, Texas.
The 37-year-old Armenian-born Darchinyan (39-5-1, with 28 knockouts) even warned Donaire to be up on his toes as he targets to knock out the Filipino Flash and avenge that humiliating loss that ended his 28-fight winning streak.
Darchinyan said that this time he won?t be a victim of one silly punch, as he plans to use his veteran smarts against Donaire (31-2, with 20 KOs).
?This time I will use my skill. I know he is scared and I?m coming to prove it. I have been in with him, I know how scared he is of my punches. I will come and demolish him. I am coming to destroy him. I made him. I am coming to break him,? Darchinyan told Fightnews.com.
?It was my first loss and after that I became undisputed champion. I proved to everyone that it was my mistake in the Donaire fight,? he added.
Darchinyan went 11-4-1 won-loss-draw after that setback to Donaire and wants to prove that even at 37 years old, he has enough gas left.
He even moved up to the super-flyweight division and scored a fifth-round knockout victory against Russian Dmitry Krilov to win the International Boxing Federation 126-pound title, then added the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Conference versions with a ninth-round KO victory over Cristian Mijares.
?Mentally I am ready for this fight and I?m ready. This is an important fight for me. Everything is good, I am very happy with my training and I will be in the best shape,? Darchinyan said. ?It is going to be a great fight.?
The 2000 Sydney Olympian said he was the one who made Donaire into a superstar fighter in the 122-pound weight division and this time he will be the cause of his dowfall.
?I am coming to destroy him. I am coming to beat the 2012 Fighter of the Year. I want to prove to everyone [that] he is [a nobody],? Darchinyan said. ?I am coming to send him to retirement.
I made him. No one ever heard of him. He was the No. 8 or 9 contender. Everyone knows if he didn?t get me with the left hook, I would knock him out. I was coming out for a big punch. Everyone thinks he is a big deal.?
