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Sydney's IBF/IBO flyweight champion, Vic Darchinyan, bit the dust in the fifth round at Bridgeport, Connecticut at the weekend in a Don King production co-feature. The shock result cost the 'Raging Bull' his belts and undefeated record.

Nonito Donaire, a Filipino based in California, came in outsider with a 17-1 score. Sydney southpaw Vic, in the mould of Vic Patrick, went in gunning, the same way he had done in all 28 wins, 22 by KO.

From his orthodox stance Donaire caught the southpaw standing square-on with a flush right that put Vic down and virtually out in round five. Referee Eddie Claudio called it off at 1:38 of the round.

Later Nonito told how he beat the bull, "The key was, every time Darchinyan threw and landed I punched back, and that got him thinking. It took the bully out of him. I timed my shots.

"He has heavy hands but my brother told me he's not as tough as he thinks he is. One punch made all the difference. I shut him up and he still wouldn't admit in the ring that I beat him."

Vic Darchinyan said: "I am very disappointed. He caught me with a very good shot. I was trying to load up too much. I definitely want a rematch. "

Another champion lost his title and undefeated run on the Bridgeport card. Travis Simms of the USA fought 12 hard rounds before ceding the decision to Joacim Alcine of Canada in their World Boxing Association super-middleweight bout.

Simms, the Connecticut attraction, was 25-0 and Alcine 28-0,entering the encounter. They rarely took a backward step in a dozen grueling frames. '

Tremendous Travis' swallowed the loss with rare sportsmanship. "I take off my hat to Alcine," said Simms. "No excuses, just congratulations to him. I'll be back."