Tonight former bantamweight title challenger Vic Darchinyan (39-5-1, 28 KO) looked to reestablish himself as a top contender as he faced Javier Gallo (18-7-1, 10 KO), and in an important fight for his to get back his status as a top challenger, he finished his opponent in four rounds.

Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank

Darchinyan won the IBO bantamweight title in 2011, and successfully defended it until he met Anselmo Moreno and Shinsuke Yamanaka, where he lost two consecutive 12 round decision. Since his last loss Darchinyan went the distance with Luis Orlando Del Valle, he showed tonight that he still has the finishing touch that propelled him through the majority of his career.

Against a second rate opponent, Darchinyan did what he needed to do to show that he still had the will, the ability and the desire to challenge for the title. Fighters sometime lose the pizazz after falling short and working their career to a contention fight, but while the majority of his tough opponents have moved on from the bantamweight division, Darchinyan has a chance to work his way back to the top and be a force to be reckoned with.

He showed his determination and drive tonight, finishing Gallo in impressive fashion as what was expected of him.

Within a calendar year Darchinyan has gone from fighting for a world title to throwing hands to get his name back in the mix, and he proved tonight that he still has what it takes—physically and mentally—to perform on the grand stage.

And as the bantamweight division has come desolate with the top fighter’s moving up, he has a chance to win the hardware and get back in line for a world title fight.

Two-time Méxican Olympian Oscar Valdez (R) knocks out Rocco Espinoza (L) in the 1st round of their feature fight on the “Solo Boxeo Tecate” show televised live on UniMas, Saturday, from the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo,Texas.

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