WORLD Boxing Association and World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan injured himself battering Mexican Rodrigo Guerrero on a historic night for Australian boxing.
The Sydney fighter dominated the contest in Rancho Mirage, California, but gutsy Guerrero somehow survived and the champion had to settle for the first 12-round points win of his professional career.
Darchinyan, 34 (33-2-1, 27 KOs), earned the judges' decisions with scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111. He skinned his left knuckles pounding Guerrero's head.
''His left knuckles are all worn,'' said Darchinyan's trainer, Angelo Hyder. ''It's like he's been punching a punching bag with no gloves on … never in boxing have I seen anyone wear the skin off their knuckles from hitting someone so much.''
In the first American pay television promotion featuring two Australians in the major bouts, Sydneysider Lenny Zappavigna also scored a 12-round unanimous points win, defeating Venezuela-based Ecuadorian Fernando Angulo.
Zappavigna, 22 (23-0 15 KOs), dominated the early rounds but was forced to dig deep after suffering injuries near both eyes on his way to collecting the vacant IBO lightweight boxing world title. Some at Agua Caliente Casino booed when Zappavigna won by two scores of 116-111 and another of 114-113.
While his injuries required stitches, Darchinyan was amazed by his opponent's durability.
''I was surprised how many big punches he was taking; I just kept feeling my knuckles on his head,'' Darchinyan said.
''From the first round I threw many big punches and I thought he was going to go down. I've never fought a kid that takes those punches and stayed in front of me.''
Guerrero, whose record dropped to 13-2 (9 KOs), was an unknown quantity coming into the fight and the Darchinyan camp could not find any footage of the challenger. He tried to take the fight to Darchinyan but lacked the power and technique to worry the champion.
Zappavigna said his bout with Angulo was the toughest of his career. ''He's a tough boy,'' Zappavigna said. ''It was awesome - I enjoyed it.''
AAP
Source: smh.com.au
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