Showtime is on the air, presenting Championship Boxing for the final time in 2009. The Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage is the site for two title fights, and Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein are on hand.
Young light welterweights Timothy Bradley and Lamont Peterson headline the card, but first up is Vic Darchinyan as he faces off with Tomas Rojas. This one is scheduled for 12 rounds for the WBA and WBC super flyweight titles.
Rojas comes to the ring first, representing Mexico. He is 32-11-1, but he hasn't lost since he was knocked out by Jorge Arce in September 2007.
Known as the Raging Bull, Darchinyan walks to the ring second. After an unsuccessful attempt to take a bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko, he's back at a better weight for him.
The tale of the tape shows that Rojas has height and reach advantages. He's also younger, though he's logged more rounds over the course of his career.
Jimmy Lennon Jr. does the fighter introductions, and we're ready for action.
Round 1
Vic darts right across the ring as Rojas whacks him with a left hand. Darchinyan tries to jab his way in. Quick one-two by Rojas. His height has been a factor early on. Vic rushes forward and lands his first clean shot. Rojas throws lefts and tries to come up underneath with his right. Vic scrambles with two left hands of his own. It turns into a brawl with 15 seconds left, and Darchinyan seems in his element for the first time.
Franchise: 10-9 Rojas
Round 2
Rojas tries some body work and gets grabbed around the waist. He ducks to avoid incoming fire. Darchinyan is staying very patient as he stalks. Both men connect as the ref warns Vic not to push. Wild lefts from Darchinyan and he eats one coming back. Rojas scores with a three-punch combo and Vic clubs him right back. A second left hand plants Rojas on the canvas, and it's all over! Rojas doesn't make it back to his feet.
Initially, it looked like a body shot that knocked Rojas out, but replays showed the left hand caught him on the chin as he ducked down.
The winner by KO at 2:54 of Round 2... and still WBA and WBC super flyweight title holder... "The Raging Bull" Vic Darchinyan.
Jim Gray asks Vic if he feels stronger at 115 pounds, but he brushes off the weight as a big factor. He was confident he would catch Rojas eventually.
Darchinyan looks at the replay of the knockout and says he knew Rojas would try to duck, so he was ready to throw a combination in response. Asked about a rematch with Nonito Donaire, he's very interested. Gary Shaw says he will work to make that fight next.
Posted by The Franchise
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