So much for the best laid plans of mice and men - and toss in promoters and cable favorites as well -  enter last nite’s Showtime Saturday Special.

The twin-bill featured Travis Simms and Joachin Alcine in the main event for Simms’  WBA jr. middle strap, and defending IBF flyweight champ Vic Darchinyan facing Nonito Donaire in the semi-final.

Commentators Steve Albert and Al Bernstein touting the respective defending champions - sees challengers more as showcase victims to the coming out party for Simms and Darchinyan in search of bigger pay checks.

Then the opener -  undefeated Darchinyan of Australia via Armenia, enters undefeated 28 wins with 22 via knockout - toss in physically strong and southpaw with proven punching power - and all eyes are on him. Donaire, Filipino super-flyweight rated  WBO number six, dropped down to flyweight for this title chance.

The bell finds Darchinyan with the "Raging Bull" sobriquet  in expected form,  racing from his corner - surprise is finding Donaire in wait at center stage and quickly greeting the touted power puncher with superior hand speed.

What then follows is a show stealing action affair with a one for me and one for you format - the raging bull nips the "Filipino Flash" in close stanzas two and four while the taller Donaire grabs one and three - hint for the astute viewer that would happen later in round five, a stanza three left hook that gets the Darchinyan attention.

The defending champion grabs number four by a whisker, but then a sudden and stunning round five finis, with Donaire beating a Darchinyan looping left hand with a perfectly timed left hook to the jaw - the Armenian fell heavily to the canvas without a chance of beating the count - time of KO 1:38 mark of five.

Post Scripts: Nonito Donaire (18-1, 11KO) ~ young at age 24 with good size and punching power at Flyweight - uses eye catching quickness for both defense and offense. Good chin and performs with confidence of seasoned pro. A force at 112.
                       Vic Darchinyan ( 28-1, 22 KO) ~ age 31 with younger body. Arrogant and cocky - had entered this one with KO win over older brother Glenn Donaire who had suffered broken jaw. Similar to other past early success fighters never before tested, Darchinyan too had met and failed in his first moment of truth.
                      Commentator Jim Gray: complete failure at post fite in ring interviewing - should dress as clown for the part. In the words of past heavy champ Mike Tyson the questions are totally ludicrous. Jimmy jerk should be farmed out to the kiddie channel where he’d fit in comfortably.

GEL  

7-8-2007