Southpaw and former Undisputed WBA, WBC and IBF Super Flyweight Champion. He captured 4 IBO titles in three weight classes.
He started boxing at age 8 and was trained by experienced trainer Vazgen Badalyan.
He became the first Armenian to hold a world title after defeating defending IBF Flyweight Champion Irene Pacheco in 2004.
His father, Ruben Darchinyan, was an Olympic wrestling coach.
He and Mexican boxer Fernando Montiel both became IBO Flyweight Champions.
