Darchinyan Lost to Agbeko by Unanimous Decision

Joseph Agbeko of Ghana retained his IBO bantamweight crown with his unanimous decision over Australian based Armenian boxer Vic Darchinyan in Florida.

Australian based Armenian boxer Vic Darchinyan lost to Joseph Agbeko of Ghana by a unanimous decision. With the unanimous win, Agbeko retained his International Boxing Federation (IBO) bantamweight title. Agbeko suffered a controversial knock down on the seventh round when Darchinyan push him to the canvas and the referee ruled it as a knock down. Despite of the controversial decision, Agbeko managed to stay ahead on points at the end of the 12th round to score a unanimous decision. It was a second victory for Agbeko as bantamweight champion. In 2007, he won a seventh round TKO over Nicaraguan Luis Perez. Yahoo news reports:

Agbeko opened a bloody gash over Darchinyan's right eye in what was ruled an accidental clash of heads. Darchinyan shoved Agbeko to the canvas in the 10th and 11th round but could not send him down with punches that counted.

"This win means a lot to me," Agbeko said. "This is my time to shine. I prepared very well. I didn't prepare to be a champion for a short time. I want to reign for a long time." "He's not better than me but he was today," Darchinyan said. "I went for a big punch and I paid for it. It was a close decision. I lost." Darchinyan, a former IBF Champion had a five fight unbeaten streak before losing the fight to the Ghanaian boxing idol.