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Vic Darchinyan today added some grateful American tourists to his growing band of overseas admirers, but wasn’t fussed about whether he would add more Australian fans after unifying boxing’s super flyweight division last weekend.
After years of media apathy and public indifference, Darchinyan was delighted to see a big press turnout at Sydney Airport today.
The cluster of cameras and journalists was in stark contrast to the one or two diehard boxing scribes who welcomed him home after his previous seven world title fights overseas.
It reminded Darchinyan of the reception Australia’s former undisputed light welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu used to enjoy following his many overseas triumph.
“I’m very happy I can see all the cameras here, all the media, I saw it seven years ago when Kostya Tszyu beat Zab Judah,” Darchinyan said at Sydney airport today.
“I was here at the airport … a lot of media came and he became an undisputed world champion too at 32 years old.
“I remembered all this stuff and I knew my time was going to come.”
The Armenian-born boxer is a star in his native country and has earned a multitude of Mexican, American and Filipino fight fans for his exploits off shore.
“The Mexicans all know about me, when they see me they follow me,” Darchinyan said.
“It’s very very important for me, world recognition. I want them to know me.
“It doesn’t matter in Australia. I know boxing is not popular in Australia and they have other kinds of sports.
“Rugby and cricket are very popular in Australia, swimming, it’s different in Australia.
“In all the world, I am more known than I am in Australia, it doesn’t bother me.”
While he’s not adverse to talking trash to publicise a fight, Darchinyan doesn’t attract the kind publicity an Anthony Mundine or Mike Tyson do.
He was labelled a “gentleman” along with his physical fitness trainer J Fares after they helped some American tourists carry their luggage after their arrival in Sydney this morning.
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