If at first you don't succeed - keep challenging for the WBA 126lb "regular" world title as it repeatedly passes hands... I guess that's Vic's motto. :conf Nicholas Walters is now the "super" champ, but was the regular champ when he annihilated Darchinyan eleven months ago, knocking him out in the 5th in his second defense. Cuellar was the interim champ then, now promoted to regular, as Carlos Zambrano of Peru became the interim champ with his UD last month over fellow unbeaten Daniel Ramírez. (who, like Zambrano, had previously fought approximately nobody) So, after this bloody spectacle - keep your eyes peeled for Zambrano (newly promoted to "regular" champ as Walters moves up to 130lbs and Cuellar becomes "super" champ) in 2016! Vic might actually have a chance in that one!
IB Funfact: Cuellar was the main sparring partner for Nonito Donaire in his 2013 rematch with Darchinyan. Noteworthy for a couple of reasons: He probably got all the skinny on Dar-chinny from the Flash, who previously fought a prime Darchinyan in 2007 and found him an easy puzzle to solve & knock out. You couldn't ask for better scouting. You have to wonder how much of Donaire struggling more than expected in the rematch could have to do with his chief sparring partner having been a big, strong, rough-around-the-edges natural featherweight in Cuellar. The aging Filipino didn't ascend the weights too gracefully as it was - taking heavy lumps from El Jinete can only have exacerbated his problems coming off that demoralizing loss to Rigondeaux. It was like Cuellar and Rigondeaux double-teamed him to soften him up for Vic (who, even with all that external help and rallying as hard as his old body would permit, still couldn't see the job through...leading one to wonder how on earth it seems like a good idea for him to get in with Cuellar...)
