Ukrainian WBA lightweight champion Artem Dalakyan (22-0.15 KOs) beat Costa Rica’s David Jimenez (12-1.9 KOs). The duel proved difficult both for the champion, who easily coped with the attackers.

What is the age? Lack of combat training? All together? We will tell.

Jimenez looked like Dalakian’s client. But it proved to be better than expected.

Costa Rican WBA title contender David Jimenez did not appear to be a direct threat to the champion. This was because he had almost no really strong rivals. Among all the recordings, two notables can be found: Edwin Cano Hernandez and Ricardo Rafael Sandoval. They are not so top, but quite strong boxers and stand out from the background of the rest.

At the same time, the fight against Sandoval was difficult for Costa Rica. In general, he even lost a little, but the knockout smoothed out the situation and managed to win minimally. And so Ricardo Rafael was going to box against Artem.

Did David seem difficult formally to Artyom? This type of boxer is not easy for everyone, but the Dalakian usually has no problem with these guys. In one way or another, everyone who loved to run forward faced and suffered the blows of the Ukrainians. One thing was clear – the Ukrainian after a long break will not be easy. It’s hard to come back at 35 after a one-year hiatus.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine

And so it happened. Dalakyan went through the first rounds a bit like a tough boxer. He moved a lot, trying to find a distance, but he was in no hurry to attack. And yet he caught the opponent from the side at least five times.

Artem took logical blows as he approached the third or fourth round. Jimenez ran but still went forward. If David managed to get close range, he already looked better there. Jimenez clinched, the opponent did not hit. On the contrary, the opponent also beat, but after receiving two or three or even four blows.

On the one hand, these blows should not be counted. On the other hand, it visually aligns the picture. The combat seems pretty even. Although Jimenez didn’t shoot well at first, he tried more.

As we neared the middle of the fight, David was still shooting. Most likely, he felt the champion’s hits on himself, realized he was holding them, and got to work. Even clean hits didn’t bother Jimenez as much as we’d like. Except for one or two episodes. Either it’s a loss of hitting power due to age, or it’s just that David is so strong that we’ll only find out in Artem’s next fight. For now, let’s go with the second option.

Round-to-round, Jimenez began by pressing his opponent and forcing him to move. It seemed as if literally chasing an opponent wasn’t strength enough. But David had had enough. He sprinted forward and hit, missed, or clinched an opponent.

The first option is ideal, but not so often. Jimenez adapted, but wasn’t able to catch a long-armed opponent from afar. Although this is it. The latter is more frequent, but the Costa Rican wasted no time for anything other than returning to the fight and moving further. The third is the most common. He rushed to the riveting and hit there as many times as you need, trying to catch the opponent and drag him into the exchanges.

boxing scene Artem Dalakyan

In general, even in swaps, Artem did not always lose. Sometimes he wouldn’t let her hit, but sometimes he would respond. It looked better from afar. But overall, due to the pressure and mobility of the opponent, the fight almost looked like a draw. Although equal.

Jury final score: 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 trick.

What’s next?

If we talk about Jimenez, then everything is fine. One of the most technical boxers in the category, he lost to the champion. Lost to favourite. So what? But he showed himself great.

There is no great invention in David. It just goes to beat and break. And fans will love it. These boxers love to walk on it, making a great addition to big shows as bottom card fighters. Even after losing, Jimenez took something from this fight.

Dalakian has aged a bit. It’s worse to move on its feet, not so much and hit accurately. Hit it right but not enough. But everything is not so critical. Only the opponent is very strong and active. This happens at 35, especially in the volleyball division.

Instagram. Artem Dalakyan

Organizer Yuriy Ruban, head of the Ukrainian Boxing Promotions Association and promoter of the Dalakian, said that after the fight they finally agreed with Frank Warren. The plan is the same as Berinchyk’s – Artem is now a client of a British promoter. On the contrary, Frank is a co-promoter.

This finally opens normal prospects for the Ukrainian. She sat at home for a very long time and did not fight with anyone except the applicants in the small halls. Now he has a chance to fight in the big arena. And the struggle for unification.

There are two champions in the flyweight division – Sunny Edwards (having IBF) and Julio Cesar Martinez (owning WBC). WBO is currently empty. So the fight will either be against a contender for the WBO title, which is highly unlikely. Or Sunny Edwards. Because he’s British, Warren is British, Artem is boxing in England, and it makes sense to have the next fight in the same place most people are comfortable with.

This will be the fight in which it will become completely clear whether Dalakyan is aging or not adequately prepared because of the war.