Ukrainian WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakyan (22-0, 15 KOs) outboxed David Jimenez (12-1, 9 KOs) from Costa Rica. The duel turned out to be difficult for both, and for the champion, who used to easily deal with aggressors, too.
What is age? Lack of fighting practice? Is it all together? We tell.
Jimenez seemed to be Dalakian’s client. But he showed that he is better than he was thought.
David Jimenez, the Costa Rican WBA title contender, didn’t look like he was a direct threat to the champion. All because he had practically no truly powerful competitors. Among the entire record, two worthy of attention can be found: Edwin Cano Hernandez and Ricardo Rafael Sandoval. Not that tops, but quite powerful boxers, and they stand out from the background of others.
At the same time, the fight against Sandoval was difficult for the Costa Rican. In general, he even lost a little, but the knockdown corrected the situation and managed to win minimally. And so Ricardo Rafael would box against Artem.
Did David look stylistically difficult for Artyom? Such boxers are not easy for everyone, but Dalakian usually has no problems with these guys. Everyone who likes to run forward one way or another ran into the blows of the Ukrainian and suffered. One thing was clear – after a long break, the Ukrainian will not be easy. Coming back at the age of 35 after a year-long break is oh so difficult.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine
And so it happened. Dalakyan spent the first rounds like a somewhat stiff boxer. He moved a lot, tried to find a distance, but was in no hurry to attack. And still caught the opponent on the side at least five times.
Artem came to sensible blows closer to the third or fourth round. Jimenez ran up, but still went forward. If David managed to get to the close range, he already looked better there. Jimenez hit in the clinch, the opponent did not. Rather, the opponent also beat, but after he received two or three, or even four blows.
On the one hand, these blows should not count. On the other hand, it visually aligns the picture. It’s like the fight is pretty even. Although at first Jimenez did not hit very well, he tried more.
Closer to the middle of the fight, David still shot. Most likely, he felt the hits of the champion on himself, realized that he was holding them and began to work. Even clean hits did not bother Jimenez as much as we would like. Except in one or two episodes. Either this is a loss of striking power due to age, or just David is so strong, we will only find out in Artyom’s next fight. For now, let’s go with option number two.
From round to round, Jimenez began by pressing the opponent and forcing him to move. It seemed that literally running after an opponent was not enough strength. But David had enough. He ran forward and hit, or missed, or caught an opponent in the clinch.
The first option is ideal, but not so frequent. Jimenez adjusted, but not enough to get a long-armed opponent from a distance. Although this has happened. The second one is more frequent, but the Costa Rican didn’t waste time on anything other than getting back into the fight and pushing further. The third is the most common. Rushed into the clinch and hit there as much as you need, trying to catch the opponent and drag him into exchanges.
boxingscene. Artem Dalakyan
In general, even in exchanges, Artem did not always lose. Sometimes, he didn’t let him hit, but sometimes he hit back. Looked better from a distance. But in total, due to the pressure and activity of the opponent, it seemed that the fight was almost a draw. Although he was just equal.
The final score of the judges: 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112 to Artem Dalakyan. A very logical score in favor of the champion. By the way, this is the sixth defense of the title. Serious number.
And what’s next?
If we talk about Jimenez, then everything is fine. Lost to the champion, one of the most technical boxers in the category. Lost to the favorite. So what? But he showed himself great.
There is no great invention in David. He just goes to beat and break. And the fans will love it. These boxers are loved to walk on, they are a great addition to big shows as undercard fighters. Even after losing, Jimenez got something from this fight.
Dalakian has aged somewhat. Worse moving on his feet, not so much and accurately hit. It hit right, but not enough. But everything is not so critical. It’s just that the opponent is too strong and active. This happens, especially at the age of 35 in the flyweight division.
Instagram. Artem Dalakyan
Promoter Yuriy Ruban, the head of the Ukrainian Union Boxing Promotions and Dalakian’s promoter, said that after the fight they finally agreed with Frank Warren. The scheme is the same as that of Berinchyk – Artem is now a client of a British promoter. Rather, Frank is a co-promoter.
This finally opens up normal prospects for the Ukrainian. He sat at home for a very long time and did not fight with anyone, except for applicants in small halls. Now there is a chance to make a fight in the big arena. And the unification fight too.
There are two champions in the flyweight division – Sunny Edwards (he has IBF) and Julio Cesar Martinez (he has WBC). The WBO is now vacant. So the fight will be either against a contender for the WBO title, which is unlikely. Or Sunny Edwards. Just because he is British, Warren is British, Artem boxed in the UK and it is logical to do the next fight in the same place where most people are comfortable.
This will be the very fight where it will become completely clear whether Dalakyan has aged or simply has not prepared enough because of the war.
