Second String:

The third round was a toss-up, one that I scored at the time for McCullough, but upon watching the televised replay I probably should have scored for Darabedyan. But my opinion meant nothing in Las Vegas.

After the first scorecard was read — 30-27 for Darabedyan — he prematurely raised his hand.

After the second scorecard was read — 30-27 for McCullough — I looked to the reporter to my right and replied, “They’re gonna screw him over.” You could see Darabedyan, at that moment, was likely never as nervous as he had been, hoping to get a decision that he had rightfully earned, but, nevertheless, could be easily taken for him.

And then it was read, 29-28, Darabedyan.

I didn’t really even believe it myself. The last fighter to beat McCullough had received a title shot. While Darabedyan will no doubt have to work a little harder for a chance at a belt, he no doubt earned his shot at stardom.

Not long after the fight, Darabedyan was looked at by a physician and pronounced OK, aside from the scrape under his eye. But it was clear how he was doing judging by the ear-to-ear grin across his face that refused to relent.

I don’t believe Darabedyan has reached the pinnacle of his career, not even close.

On a brilliant Las Vegas night in which the odds were against him, he took his largest step yet in becoming the champion many believe he’s destined to become.

So often in this life, opportunity is so hard to come by and an even more arduous task to grasp it once it’s been put in front of you.

When you see it play out in front of your eyes, it’s so very amazing.

Sports are sports for most, wins and losses, betting lines and fantasy stats, this guy beating up this guy and that team outscoring the other. But within every athlete is a quest to reach his potential and a story to be told.

On this night, Karen Darabedyan wrote the most compelling chapter yet of what seems destined to be quite a story.

That’s just the way I see it, playing second string.