Ringside With Raymundo 07.02.09: Battle of the Nicknames: Raging Bull vs. King Kong

Posted by Raymundo Dioses on 07.02.2009

This week, Raymundo gives us all we need to look for at Don King's 'Summer Sizzler' show in Florida on July 11...


The Raging Bull is no stranger to higher weights

The 118 pound class just inherited a boxer with the vernacular of a Heavyweight.

While most of boxing's attention is directed toward the welterweight division, there is a man who talks with a swift tongue and borders on the level of a fighter who once beckoned, "I want to eat your children".

"Your going to feel like someone's hitting you with a hammer."

"I've seen Agbeko's fights and they don't impress me. You will see, nothing compares to my power. I will knock him out with my power. I can open my jaw and let him punch it and he still won't hurt me."

That was just a speck of what came out of the mouth of this little man with a small frame with the nickname "Raging Bull" whose is anything but short on trash talk and banter that he throws at his opponents before every contest.

Armenian Vic Darchinyan has been hailed as the flyweight mini-Tyson, and his words have thus far been backed up by his fists, as the WBA, WBC & IBF 115 pound champion continues to move up in weight and in pound for pound polls.

Darchinyan, (32-1, 26 KO's) faces Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko on July 11 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida as the main event of the Don King hosted card "Summer Sizzler", which will be aired by network Showtime.

Darchinyan challenges Agbeko for his IBF bantamweight title, and took time out Tuesday for a media conference call that showcased his classic banter of opponents.

"I'm going to knock you out. You are going to feel my power badly," Darchinyan said directly to Agbeko during the call.

This writer has attended Darchinyan's last two bouts, both bouts in which I picked the other man to win. This time, I believe I'll go with Darchinyan, especially if its true that he says he's hitting five times harder than he was in his last fight.

Agbeko, (26-1, 22KO's) knew better than anyone what he should expect in the weeks leading up to the fight, and even attempted some return fire.

"You can punch. I'm ready for your punch. After this fight, your always going to be scared in the ring."

"I'm going to do to you what Azumah Nelson did to Jeff Fenech in Australia," said Agbeko, noting to his fellow Ghanian Nelson's stunning upset in 1992 by way of TKO in the eighth round."

"King Kong" has some validated confidence heading into next Saturday's nationally televised fight. This will be the third defense of his IBF title and his only loss was highly disputed and even Darchniyan took time to address his loss, stating that he felt Agbeko was robbed, but that he'll personally hand the African his first loss.

During the phone conference, the trash talk was egged on by Don King Productions' Alan Hopper and Gary Shaw, Darchinyan's promoter, had more than a mouthful to say.

"Vic's been eating up Mexican's lately, and he asked me for a change of diet. So I got him an African," said Shaw, who heads his own Gary Shaw Promotions.

"I believe I represent probably a fighter who will go down as one of the greatest boxers to ever fight in the lower weights in the history of boxing. Please tell all the poachers out there that Vic and I are bound together for life. I want everyone who's on this call to hear that."

Shaw also stated that if WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley still hasn't found an opponent after July 11, that he'll pit Darchinyan against Mosley. Darchinyan has made it known he is seeking to keep moving up in weight, and even stated that his walking around weight is 142.

Could we see a ‘Pacquiao' like ascension from Darchinyan? The Armenian is only three years older than Pacquaio at 33, and started his career seven pounds heavier than Pacquaio at 114. Pacquaio used 2008 to fight in three different divisions, and now sits on top of the boxing world as the most sought after opponent in the welterweight division.

Will there be a Darchinyan v. Mosley, or even Darchinyan v. Pacquiao in the future? Only time will tell.

As for now, Darhinyan is looking to be successful in the bantamweight division on Saturday, July, in a fight is a scheduled twelve rounds for Agbeko's IBF bantamweight title.

Who will it be? King Kong or the Raging Bull?


USS Cunningham

Cruiserweight Steve "USS" Cunningham will be featured on the under card fighting in an IBF cruiserweight title eliminator match against Wayne Braithwaite.

Cunningham, (21-2, 11KO's) held the title until he partook in a 2008 Fight of the Year candidate bout in which he lost via close decision to Tomasz Adamek after 12 outstanding rounds in Newark, NJ. Cunningham has been patient, and now climbs the ladder in attempts for a redemption fight against Adamek.

Adamek faces Bobby Gunn on the same day as Cunningham's fight, July 11.


De Marco Also on Undercard

WBO NABO lightweight champion Antonio De Marco will fight a ten round bout against Anges Adjaho.

De Marco, (21-1, 15KO's) is coming off an upset victory over Almazbek "Kid Diamond" Raiymkulov at the Honda Center on February 7 of this year, as part of the under card of Darchinyan v. Arce.

De Marco has an iron heart and along with Cunningham, provides a well rounded night of boxing for fans in Florida.

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R.I.P. Alexis Arguello 1952-2009