Around the Net: Vic Darchinyan vs Abner Mares Pre-Fight Edition

Up and coming Abner Mares takes on veteran slugger Vic Darchinyan in the second of tonight's Showtime bantamweight tournament match-ups.

As a solidly built natural bantam, it's no surprise to see Mares enter as the betting favorite.  Darchinyan struggled in his one major 118lb clash against Joseph Agbeko, and he'll be giving away a clear edge in reach to the young Mexican fighter.  Along with the physical advantages, Mares has youth on his side and his fresher legs could prove key in allowing him to dictate where he wants to take the fight.

Of course, Darchinyan faced many of these same obstacles when he took on Cristian Mijares a little over two years ago in a 115lb clash.  Younger and technically superior, with a similar reach edge to the one Mares will enjoy, Mijares proved no match for the aggressive Darchinyan, eventually succumbing in nine rounds.

Is Mares too big and too good?  Or can the Aussie based Armenian upset the odds once more?  It's a intriguing fight, in what promises to be a great little tournament.

For more from The Boxing Bulletin on this match-up, check out Patrick Connor's preview: Showtime Bantamweight Tournament: Vic Darchinyan vs Abner Mares Preview

For further analyis and pre-fight buzz, let's take a look around the net...

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I think this one depends almost entirely on which Darchinyan shows up. If it's the Vic Darchinyan who boxes his way into those openings for his brutal, cartoonish power shots, I think he does well and wins this fight. If it's the Darchinyan who believes he's God's most fearsome creature, I think Mares could stay patient and pick him apart, racking up rounds en route to a decision win. Mares is a good boxer and he can war a bit, but he does not want to get into a fight with Darchinyan. He's going to want to box him. I don't think he can survive a slugfest, but I do think he can edge out a win even if the smart Darchinyan shows up. But my gut is telling me that Mares gets dragged into the kind of fight that's just no good for him. My gut could have s**t for brains. Darchinyan TKO-8

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All that Mares needs is for his chin to hold up, and he proved he had a good one against Perez. But if he gets too bold, he could find himself in trouble. I like the idea of Mares taking the fight to Darchinyan, which is likely to force him into a brawl where he'll revert to wild crab man. Then, I think Darchinyan makes a mistake and gets caught, a la Nonito Donaire. I'll pick Mares -- a fighter I'm very high on -- to win by knockout, say in the 8th. Not that I don't still love big-mouthed, big-punching Vic, too.

The Boxing Tribune - The Bantamweights

Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs)– Considered talented with an elite-level skill set, some questioned Mares’ grit and resolve against the top level fighters in the division. That question was answered with his grueling battle against Perez. This Saturday, he faces Vic Darchinyan as part of Showtime’s bantamweight tournament.

Vic Darchinyan (35-2-1, 27 KOs)– Some say that the Armenian Crab King slugger has lost some of his pop since moving up to bantamweight, but it’s hard to say that after only two official bouts at 118. The former 112 and 115lb. champ is an angry brawler by nature and will always come to fight. With one close loss to Agbeko on his 118 lb. resume, he enters the bantamweight tournament fresh and wanting to redeem himself. He faces Abner Mares this weekend.

Max Boxing - Mares Meets Darchinyan

Seeing Mares work with trainer Clemente Medina, he just looks like a fighter ready to break out. While Darchinyan has the pedigree and résumé, Mares is the natural bantamweight and he has youth on his side.

"He had about 150 rounds of sparring," said Medina, who pointed out that they worked with the likes of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Giovani Segura leading into this fight. "So I think he’s grown more confident because he told me, he started with me, ’I’ll win a world championship with you.’ Mentally, he’s very good; physically he’s 100-percent." The trainer knows that Darchinyan is still a dangerous foe, one that can turn the tide with punch. "Vic Darchinyan is a strong guy. He’s older than Mares. Mares has more skills, a little bigger than him. I know the power is there; Mares will have to be intelligent at moments but Abner has everything to win."

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Trent Pusey: I am excited for this fight. I really want to see the growth of Abner Mares but honestly, I’d watch Vic Darchinyan fight just about anyone. Darchinyan will push the action against Mares and the question will be how the younger Mexican responds. I see Darchinyan taking the early rounds and Mares surviving to a point where he takes over after a bad start. Mares will take the decision in what hopefully will be an exciting war. 115-113.

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"I think that my power definitely is underestimated, and I don't think that a lot of people see me as a power puncher. And, really, I'm not. But, there is power behind my punches, and I'm just ready for this fight," said Mares.

"Again, Darchinyan is a great fighter who has proven a lot. But all that I can say is that I've trained really hard. I'm ready mentally and physically," said Mares. "Darchinyan gets to say all that he wants, but I think that my speed is just going to overwhelm him. I think that it's my time to shine. "

Max Boxing - Vic-torious or Vic-tim?

At age 34, a loss would do irrevocable damage to Darchinyan’s career. Two consecutive televised losses afford other highly rated boxers, in two weight classes, an excuse to avoid challenges Darchinyan is certain to lay down. Age is of little concern to the former champ, who believes hard work and the right mental attitude leads to triumphs. "It doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s about how confident and how you come to fight and your hunger. If your hunger has gone, you should retire." Darchinyan brought that hunger with him, traveling to America early to avoid any possibility of jet lag. Darchinyan has been at his California camp since early November. "I did all my sparring in Australia but when I came here, I just worked on my legs, my movement and my speed. All my hard sparring was in Australia. He will fight me and I will be very good, fast and strong. He is going to remember me."