Darchinyan destroys Pacheco, wins flyweight world title
By Anthony Cocks, DHB Site Editor (December 17, 2004) 
Vic 'Raging Bull' Darchinyan
Australian-based Armenian Vic 'Raging Bull' Darchinyan became the first Jeff Fenech trained fighter to win a world title when he knocked out long reigning champion Irene 'Mambaco' Pacheco in the 11th round to annex the IBF flyweight title on Thursday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The 33-year-old Columbian southpaw was knocked down twice in the fight, once in the tenth and again in the fatal eleventh round. Both times right hooks did the damage. Pacheco was also deducted a point for a low blow in round nine and another two points in round ten for the same infraction.

Darchinyan, an accomplished amateur who relocated to Australia after competing in the Sydney Olympics, took the fight to Pacheco from the opening bell and never took his foot off the gas.

Pacheco, who was making the 7th defense of the title he won in 1999 with a 9th round stoppage of Luis Cox Coronado, enjoyed some success with a body attack in the middle rounds but overall had little answer to the 28-year-old's relentless pressure.

Referee Jorge Alonso called a halt to the bout at 0:44 of round 11 after Pacheco was knocked down for a second time.

The fight was originally scheduled to take place on September 3 in Florida before Hurricane Frances scuttled those plans.

The win is of particular significance to former three division champion and Hall of Famer Fenech, who despite having trained some of Australia's best fighters to world title shots has until today been unable to win the big one.

With the win Darchinyan moves to 22-0 (17) and joins the illustrious ranks of Jimmy Carruthers, Rocky Mattioli, Lionel Rose, Johnny Famechon, Lester Ellis, Barry Michael, Jeff Fenech, Jeff Harding, Kostya Tszyu and Anthony Mundine as Australians who have won world titles.

Pacheco suffers his first loss and falls to 30-1 (23).

Australian fight fans can watch a replay of the fight on Fox Sports 2 on Christmas Eve, 24th December 2004 from 7:30pm AEDT.
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