Darchinyan vs. Guerrero Press Conference Quotes and Photos
Popular, hard-hitting Vic “The Raging Bull’’ Darchinyan (33-2-1, 27 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association (WBC/WBA) super flyweight crowns against streaking Rodrigo “Gato’’ Guerrero (13-1-1, 9 KOs) in the main event on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® this Saturday, March 6 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa here.
In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten Lenny “Lenny Zappa’’ Zappavigna (22-0, 15 KOs) of Australia and Fernando “La Fiera” Angulo (22-6, 14 KOs) of Venezuela will clash for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) lightweight title. Angulo was in Los Angeles taking his medical examination and was not at Thursday’s press conference.
An Australian-based Armenian, the exciting Darchinyan will be making his fifth consecutive appearance on SHOWTIME and 11th overall. He has scored knockouts in 14 of his last 15 victories.
The switching-hitting Guerrero, of Ciudad Neza, Mexico, has won 11 in a row. This will be his first start on SHOWTIME and in the United States.
The promising Zappavigna, an Italian, fights out of Sydney, Australia. He also will be making his SHOWTIME debut, and his second stateside start.
The doubleheader will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC. Tickets, priced from $45, may be purchased at The Show Box Office, online at HotWaterCasino.com/TheShow or by calling (800) 585-3737. For private box/suite bookings, please call The Show’s Group Sales Department (760) 202-2111.
VIC DARCHINYAN
“SHOWTIME is like my home and I look forward to defending my title again on SHOWTIME and fighting in front of my fans at Agua Caliente.
“This is a good fight for me and a fight where I will showcase all my skills – not just a punch. I feel really good and had a great training camp. I plan to do everything — box, think and stay calm.
“Guerrero is a good kid and he’s fought a couple good fighters and done very well. There’s no way I’m going to underestimate him.
“I think he has a future in boxing, but it won’t begin until after I beat him on Saturday.
“I don’t want to talk about any possible fights for me in the future. My main focus is on Guerrero and defeating a determined, young opponent. I am here and ready to do my job.
“If the knockout comes, it comes. But it is going to come. He will feel my power.’’
RODRIGO GUERRERO
“I am really happy and excited for this opportunity – my chance of a lifetime. This is what I have waited for my whole life and I am confident of doing well.
“When they first told me I was fighting for a world title, it was such a huge surprise, I couldn’t believe it. I still didn’t believe it for a little while. But, finally, after about two weeks of sparring, it sunk in. I’d been promised major fights before, but they never happened. Now, this one is here, and I am ready.
“I know a lot of people may not have heard of me, but I guarantee I am not here to fall down in the first or 12th round – or any round, for that matter. People and fans who have never seen me fight are saying I’m no good. I believe they are all in for a surprise, a really big surprise.
“Everyone has an opinion, but the negative talk has only given me more motivation. And I didn’t need any more motivation. Fighting for two world titles was enough. Darchinyan is a great fighter with a lot of power. But, watch and see, I can fight and I have power, too. This is going to be a great fight.’’
LENNY “LITTLE ZAPPA’’ ZAPPAVIGNA
“I’ve had great sparring, great training and am 100 percent excited about fighting on SHOWTIME and showing the whole world what I can do.
“I definitely want to win very impressively, but my goal, my destiny, is to win the belt. That is why I’m here and I am not leaving without that belt. I would fight a Mike Tyson if there was a belt on the line.
“After the fight, I am not going to look back and think to myself, ‘I should have done this, I should have done that.’ I am going to do it all on Saturday. I have my own style and I know the fans will like it.’’
