Highlights of Final Agbeko-Darchinyan Press Conference

Just moments ago the final press conference was staged for this Saturday’s hotly anticipated Showtime card highlighted by IBF Bantamweight Champion Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko defending his belt against murderous punching Vic Darchinyan. The televised co-feature is a Lightweight eliminator between Benin, West Africa’s Anges Adjaho and Antonio DeMarco. Also on the undercard will be an intriguing Cruiserweight showdown between Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham Wayne Braithwaite as well as prospects John Jackson and Angelo Santana in separate bouts.

8 Count News was on hand for the festivities and here are some of the highlights of the final presser.


King’s Compassion

Leading off in grand fashion, as always, was Don King. Before the legendary promoter could even make mention of the fight card he is helping stage this weekend he instead turned his attention to his recently deceased friend, Michael Jackson. It is no secret that King has had a close relationship to the Jackson family and King head of PR, Alan Hopper, made sure to mention the impact King had on the Jacksons later in their career.
“The thing about Don King is that he is more than just a boxing promoter,” Hopper stated. “He is actually one of the best promoters, period, of all time. He was responsible for helping reunite the Jacksons in the 1980’s and organizing a reunion tour for the Jackson 5, which went on to be the highest grossing tour of the year, pulling in over $70 million. He also helped set the Jacksons up with an exclusive $5 million dollar deal with Pepsi as well.”
King would then point the audience to a big screen that he had brought in, and on the television were clips from the above mentioned Jackson 5 reunion showcase. King later went on into detail about the effect Michael Jackson had on American culture and the friendship they shared.

Shaw Acknowledges Darchinyan

When Vic Darchinyan suffered a crushing loss as the hands of Nonito Donaire a few years back the Armenian’s career seemed in question. The ‘Raging Bull’ had trouble coping with Donaire’s speed and his apparent limitations as a boxer seemed to be on display. People questioned whether Vic would be able to bounce back from such a defeat but in the past few years he has answered those questions resoundingly.
His last three fights have been impressive stoppage victories over former champions Dmitri Kirillov, Cristian Mijares, and Jorge Arce and in those bouts Darchinyan showed improved boxing skills as well as his infamous punching power. The southpaw is on terror and it is of no secret to those in the boxing world just how found promoter Gary Shaw is of his prized talent.
“I really have to take my hat off to Vic,” Shaw told the crowd today. “I have to be the luckiest promoter alive because I have a lifetime agreement with Darchinyan and it all started with a handshake agreement years ago. I remember almost five years ago Darchinyan called me and I could barely understand him because of his thick accent. He told me that he was a champion and he needed me to sing him. I didn’t think much of the conversation but he continued to call me and years later I can say singing Vic was one of the best decisions I made as a promoter.”
Shaw went on in detail to discuss just how career threatening his loss to Donaire could have been and praised his abilities to bounce back as a fighter.
“The thing about Vic is that he will fight anybody, anywhere,” Shaw stated. “I must commend him for that and also for the way he has come back from his loss to Donaire. In that fight Vic suffered a heartbreaking loss and if it wasn’t for the ropes holding him up he would have been in the 23rd row of the crowd. I admire his determination for coming back and even more impressive than his fighting abilities in the ring is his demeanor outside the ropes as a champion.”

Agbeko’s Promise

In a recent media poll sent out to the press, 21 one of the 27 selected writers opted to go with Darchinyan’s power and aggression over Agbeko’s well rounded attack. Darchinyan has created quite the buzz in the boxing world due to his recent string of victories and it’s evident that Agbeko is feeling overlooked in this contest. Needless to say, when it was Accra, Ghana native’s chance to speak he wasn’t shy about the circumstances.
“I am so happy that this day is coming and I wish we could fight today,” Agbeko claimed. “Everywhere I look online I read about how Darchinyan is going to knock me out and this and that. I respect Darchinyan as a fighter but what people don’t realize is that he has been under the spotlight for the past few years and everyone is becoming familiar with him. I haven’t had that chance to be in the spotlight but this Saturday night will be my night. Finally everyone will get to see who is the King of the ring.”
From there Agbeko’s temper and passion began to grow more heated and it became increasingly obvious that he had taken offense to some of Darchinyan’s earlier pre-fight banter.
“Vic, you say that after the fight they won’t call me King Kong and will instead call me a chimpanzee,” a vocal Agbeko stated. “All you have done so far is talk and that won’t be good enough. I respect you as a fighter and because I respect you I know that I am going to give you a real good beating. I promise to give you the worst beating of your career.”
In Agbeko and Darchinyan we have two ultra-confident fighters who aren’t shy about voicing their opinion. The early pre fight theatrics between both men have been entertaining but it should be nothing compared to the action that takes place in the ring.

A Very Mum Adjaho is ready for DeMarco

The televised co-feature of the evening is a nice matchup as Anges Adjaho and Antonio DeMarco collide in a WBC Lightweight eliminator, with the winner being in line to fight champion Edwin Valero. While Adjaho and DeMarco’s respect towards each other has been a striking contrast to the main event participants the fight itself still figures to be a nice scrap. Adjaho himself was short on talk and is simply ready to fight.
“I want to thank everybody for allowing me the chance to be on this card,” Adjaho stated. “I have been training very hard for this fight and I will be ready on Saturday. This is going to be a good fight and I will let my actions take place in the ring. In Africa usually it is the women who do most of the talking so with that I am going to go and I will see everyone Saturday night.”

Questions and Comments can be sent to Chris at www.Myspace.com/BoxingHarmony and Trimond@aol.com