On Saturday night at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California, Vic Darchinyan did his part to keep the hopes for rematch with Filipino Nonito Donaire alive, boxing to a commanding unanimous decision win over 22-year old challenger Rodrigo Guerrero (13-2-1, 9 KO) of Mexico City, Mexico.

Darchinyan weighed in for the bout at the division limit of 115 lbs., Guerrero a pound under at 114. It was Darchinyan’s third successful defense of the title he unified in 2008, only the second time Darchinyan has been the twelve round distance in fourteen title fights, and the first victory over that span of rounds.

Darchinyan boxed with confidence down the stretch even as Guerrero continued to press forward, a model for the heart and desire every challenger ought to bring to a chance at the top of the world. He clearly fell short, the unanimous decision scores lopsided at 118-110, 117-111, and a shutout 120-108 for Darchinyan, but he also clearly won the respect of the champion, boxingscene.com reported.