Agbeko downs Darchinyan to keep bantamweight crown

SUNRISE, Florida (AFP) - Ghana's Jospeh Agbeko retained the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Australian-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan.

Agbeko overcame a controversial knockdown in the seventh round to improve to 27-1 and denied Darchinyan a world title in his third different weight class, dropping the undisputed super flyweight world champion to 32-2 with one drawn.

"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."

Agbeko made the second successful second defense of the crown he won with a seventh-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Luis Perez in 2007. Agbeko has won six in a row, including a defense last December over Nicaraguan William Gonzalez.

"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."

Agbeko opened a cut over Darchinyan's left eye in the second round and bloodied the southpaw's nose in the fifth round.

Darchinyan answered in the seventh by pushing Agbeko down to his right knee while landing a left in what was called a knockdown by referee Tommy Kimmons.

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.

"I knew to watch for head butts. I didn't and I paid for it. I took bad tactics. No excuses. He was great at moving. I couldn't find the right position. I know my mistakes. That's what I will work on."

Darchinyan, the former IBF flyweight king, saw his five-fight unbeaten streak snapped and must decide within 10 days whether or not to defend his undisputed superfly crown or stay at bantamweight, where Agbeko still rules.

"Vic Darchinyan can never stop my dream," Agbeko said. "Ghana is behind me. This was for them. This was the biggest fight of my career. I know nothing can stop me now."