By Alexey Sukachev and Inna Lagun (Allboxing.ru)

Two of the fiercest Armenian warriors of the present day were honored by Serge Sargsyan, the president of Armenia, during a recent event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the state’s independence. Both Arthur Abraham and Vic Darchinyan were awarded with medals “For the great services for Armenia” of the first degree.

Abraham, 31, is a former IBF middleweight champion (2005-2009), who risked his legacy by taking part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, where he knocked out Jermain Taylor but was soundly outboxed and outslugged by Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

A former Armenian Olympian Vic (Vakhtang) Darchinyan is curently the reigning IBO bantamweight champ. Darchinyan is also a former IBF flyweight and undisputed (WBC/WBA/IBF) super flyweight world champion, who is now campaigning at 118lbs. Both fighters are regarded to be the best Armenian fighters of all time.