On Saturday, June 6, at the StubHub in Carson, California, in a fight televised live on NBC, WBA World featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar (26-1, 20 KOs), from Jose C. Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina, defends his title against former two-division champion Vic Darchinyan (40-7-1, 29 KOs), from Glendale, California, by way of Vanadzor, Armenia.
Cuellar, a hard hitting 28-year-old from the boxing hotbed of Argentina, was a highly decorated amateur who turned pro in 2008. With the exception of a single loss to Oscar Escandon (16-0 at the time) in 2011, he has stopped 20 of the 26 men he has faced.
His opponent this weekend, Vic Darchinyan, has achieved great things during his 15 years of active duty. He has fought everyone there was to fight, and while he won some and lost others, Darchinyan never gave less than his all and then some.
However much Darchinyan has embodied the word tough during his long, illustrious career, he is 39 years old, a decade older than Cuellar, and he has lost four of his last seven fights dating back to 2011.
According to CompuBox, Cuellar throws on average 90 punches per round, 20 of which land (23%). Of those 90 total punches thrown, 54 are power punches, 17 of which connect, and 36 are jabs, 5 of which connect.
By contrast, Darchinyan on average lands 13 of 52 total punches thrown (26%). Of those 52 total punches thrown, 26 are power punches, 11 of which connect, and 26 are jabs, 3 of which connect.
Anything can happen when the opening bell sounds. Boxing isn’t called the “theater of the unexpected” for nothing. Both men enter the ring with victory in mind, but only one will have his hand raised in the end.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
