Darchinyan becomes champion again with 5th round knockout over Kirilov

By Marc Abrams

Vic Darchinyan captured the IBF Jr. Bantamweight title with a fifth round stoppage over reigning champion Dimitry Kirilov in Tacoma, Washington.

Darchunyan started early as he landed some heavy lefts in the opening moments of the fight. Kirilov has some tactical flaws as he continued to walk directly into the hard shots of Darchinyan. Kirilov did try get into the fight with some rights but they clearly did not have anywhere near the affect that Darchinyan's were having.

In round five, Darchinyan landed a big flurry that was topped off by a right hand that dropped Kirilov. Darchinyan smelled blood and landed a huge left that dropped Kirilov for a second time within a minute and Kirilov could not beat referee Earl Brown's count and Darchinyan was champ again at the 1:05 mark of round five.

Darchinyan is now 30-1-1 with twenty-four knockouts. Kirilov is now 29-3-1.

The co-feature saw former U.S. Olympian Andre Diirrell stop Mike Paschall in round four of a scheduled ten round Super Middleweight bout.

Paschall was pesky early as he was landing some sneaky punches on the more gifted Dirrell. Dirrell was landing the more impressionable punches and started to build a lead.

In round four, Dirrell landed a big straight left that dropped Paschall. When Paschall got to his feet, Paschall was bleeding badly from between the eyes on his forehead. Despite pleading from Paschall, the fight was waved off at 1:32 of round four.

Dirrell, of Flint, Michigan is now 16-0. Paschall is now 17-1-1.