Photo: Tom Casino – By Sam Gregory: In last night’s main event on Showtime from the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, Joseph Agbeko (26-1, 22 KO’s) successfully defended his IBF bantamweight title against Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KO’s) in a scheduled 12 round bout in the bantamweight division. Round 1 started out with both men feeling each other out, mid way through the round Agbeko landed a solid right hand that rocked Darchinyan.
Round 2 Agbeko landed a couple shots and with his hands up made it difficult for Darchinyan to land a solid shot early on in this round. Darchinyan landed a solid right jab than a left hand uppercut. Agbeko complained of a head-butt in this round.
Round 3 Agbeko was landing his left jab followed by his right hook. Darchinyan threw his jab and missed with a couple left hooks. The last 10 seconds of the round was a toe to toe brawl with both men throwing wild punches; Darchinyan staggered going to his corner at the end of the round.
Round 4 after the first minute Agbeko went down but it was called a slip. Agbeko landed a left hook but the punch was thrown wide and wasn’t a solid shot. Agbeko continued to score landing his jab; in the last 30 seconds of the round Darchinyan landed a right hook that backed up Agbeko.
Round 5 Darchinyan threw some combinations to the body but Agbeko was pot shoting Darchinyan and scoring with his jab and right hook. Darchinyan was missing with the left hook and ate some solid shots from Agbeko; Darchinyan was slowed down and still wasn’t able to land the left hand.
Round 6 at this point in the fight Darchinyan has a cut over his left eye, he’s moving slower and clearly behind on points. Agbeko is leaving himself open but Darchinyan wasn’t able to land anything substantial. Darchinyan lands a left but doesn’t hurt the champ. Agbeko continues to dominate the fight.
Unofficial cards have Agbeko ahead on 2 cards, the other has it even
Round 7 Darchinyan is lunging with his punches; Agbeko is able to slip those punches. Agbeko was given a standing eight count because it looked like he slipped and his glove touched the canvas. Actually Darchinyan landed a left and pushed Agbeko to the canvas. This round was one minute longer because the time keeper didn’t ring the bell at the correct time.
Round 8 Agbeko landed a three punch combination, Darchinyan looks to be wobbling and back peddling. Darchinyan lands a low blow (accidental) Darchinyan came out throwing hard punches and Agbeko stood toe to toe and traded with him.
Round 9 Darchinyan uses his jab as a range finder and lands a straight left hand; Agbeko isn’t bothered by Darchinyan’s punches. Agbeko is holding his hands much lower this round, Darchinyan lands a solid left hand again; the round is very close as it comes to an end.
Round 10 Darchinyan seems to have found his rhythm; Agbeko backs Darchinyan with a solid left hand. Blood is coming out of the right eye of Darchinyan (the doctor checked, he said it was a head-butt) Agbeko is landing solid shots and backing up Darchinyan.
Between rounds, Darchinyan’s eye looks real bad
Round 11 Agbeko lands a solid left hand that backs up Darchinyan; Agbeko is continuing to land solid shots to the head. Agbeko is in control of this round landing punches at will.
Round 12 Agbeko lands big right hand to the body; Darchinyan is throwing wild and missing out of desperation. Agbeko is landing his punches and scoring; Darchinyan’s timing is off and he isn’t able to land punches. The round ends and Agbeko is jumping on the ropes.
Don King is up in the ring screaming about it’s the worst officiating he’s ever seen. (Talking about the knockdown in round 7)
The fight goes to the judge’s scorecards: 116-111 and 114-113 twice for Agbeko by unanimous decision.
Joseph Agbeko improves his record to 27-1 with 22 KO’s, while Darchinyan suffers the second loss of his career and falls to 32-2-1 with 26 KO’s
Comments are closed.