Artem Dalakian vs. Luis Concepcion - November 20, 2021

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Artem Dalakian vs. Luis Concepcion is Ordered By The WBA

The Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association (WBA) has ordered a mandatory fight between the organization’s flyweight champion, Artem Dalakian, and the current interim-champion, Luis Concepción.

The sanctioning body sent the communication to both teams to start immediate negotiations for the fight.

In accordance with Championships Rule C.11, the champion must defend the title against the official contender within nine months from the date the title was obtained.

Dalakian’s last mandatory fight was on June 15th, 2019 and the deadline for the next one was due on March 14th, 2020. For this reason, the sanctioning body is pressing him to fight Concepción.

The WBA is also following their plan to eliminate all interim-titles.

On the other hand, WBA Rule C.13 – Bout Limitations, says that the champion cannot fight a boxer who is not the mandatory contender within sixty (60) days of the expiration of the mandatory defense period.

Based on the above, a thirty (30) day negotiation period was ordered as of August 19th, 2021, which will close on September 18th.

If both teams do not reach an agreement within the established period or one of the parties does not show the desire to negotiate, the Championships Committee may send the fight to a purse bid under the rules and conditions of the WBA.

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Dalakian-Concepcion: Union Boxing Wins Purse Bid For Rights To WBA Flyweight Title Fight

Artem Dalakian can thank his promoter for not having to travel for his next title defense.

Union Boxing will promote the WBA “World” flyweight title fight between reigning champ Dalakian and mandatory challenger Luis ‘Nica’ Concepcion. Dmitry Eliseev and Yuriy Ruban, co-founders of Union Boxing claimed the rights to the fight after submitting $301,000 during a purse bid hearing held Monday via Zoom conference call.

The amount far outpaced the second-highest bid of $171,010 provided by Jose Mohan of D4G Promotions, who sought to stage the event in Concepcion’s hometown of Panama City, Panama.

Instead, Concepcion (39-8, 28KOs) will hit the road in a bid to become a first-time full-fledged titlist after previous interim reigns at flyweight and junior bantamweight. According to the purse bid results, Union Boxing intends for the fight to take place on November 13, November 20 or November 27 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Per the terms of the purse bid, Dalakian is entitled to 55% ($165,550) of the winning amount. The remaining 45% ($135,450) will go to Concepcion, who was installed as the mandatory challenger following the WBA’s decision to remove its interim titles from circulation.

Neither boxer has fought since the same weekend in separate parts of the world last February. Ukraine’s Dalakian (20-0, 14KOs) retained the title following a 12-round, unanimous decision victory over Josber Perez last February 7 at Parkovy Convention Center in Kiev, where he has made all four career title defenses to date.

Dalakian’s lone fight away from home came in his title-winning effort, outpointing 2000 U.S. Olympian and former two-division titlist Brian Viloria over 12 rounds in their February 2018 vacant title fight at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Concepcion returned to the ring one night after Dalakian’s win over Perez, scoring a tenth-round knockout of Colombia’s Rober Barrera last February 8 in Panama City. The win saw Concepcion begin his second WBA “interim” flyweight title reign, though without a single defense largely due to the pandemic. The reign was derecognized this past August 25, when the WBA announced the abolishment of its interim titles as part of a concentrated effort by the sanctioning body—encouraged by public demand—to reduce its number of recognized titlists.

Concepcion has come up short in four previous attempts at a major title. Two came in 2011, beginning with an 11th round stoppage at the hands of Hernan ‘Tyson’ Marquez in their April 2011 slugfest. The rematch later that April was considerably less competitive, with Concepcion suffering three knockdowns in a 1st round knockout defeat.

A third fight more than four years later saw Concepcion outpoint Marquez in an interim title fight, coming eight months after dropping a 12-round decision to then-unbeaten WBC junior bantamweight titlist Carlos Cuadras in April 2015.

The fourth attempt at a belt saw Concepcion drop a twelve-round decision to unbeaten Khalid Yafai in their December 2016 vacant WBA junior bantamweight title fight. He is just 4-3 since then, though having won his last two bouts to position himself for this opportunity.

As is the case with all previously recognized interim titlists prior to the ruling, Concepcion retained the same rights as it related to the purse bid hearing. The fight ultimately went that route after the two sides failed to reach terms in more than a month since the fight was ordered August 18 by the WBA.

[Ruthless-RKO]

These smaller guys get paid peanuts.

[giacomino]

Would be nice to see Dalakian fight a top 10 guy eventually after almost four years as an alphabet belt holder. Concepcion hasn’t beaten anyone with a pulse in five years and he’s still Dalakian’s best opponent in quite a while

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Dalakian-Concepcion will be on Nov 20

Union Boxing confirmed that Artem Dalakian (20-0, 14 KOs) and Luis “Nica” Concepcion (39-8, 28 KOs) will fight on November 20 in Kiev, Ukraine, for the World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight title.

Dalakian has been WBA 112-pound champion since 2018 when he defeated Brian Viloria. He has since made four defenses. Concepcion was the interim champion before the WBA’s title reduction plan began. He will now have the opportunity to fight for the WBA world title.

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Fight Week!

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Dalakian, Concepcion Face-Off Ahead of WBA Title Fight in Ukraine

Unbeaten Ukrainian WBA flyweight world champion Artem Dalakian (20-0, 14 KO's) and hard-hitting former ruler Luis "El Nica" Concepcion of Panama met for the very first-time during a presser held at noon today, Tuesday November 16, at the Premier Hotel Rus, located near the majestic Dnieper River in Kiev, Ukraine.

Dalakian and Concepcion, accompanied by their head coaches, answered questions from the media, and then faced off for the cameras, both men looking fit, promising fireworks and victory.

The two sluggers are set to battle for Dalakian's black 'n golden WBA 112-pound diadem this coming Saturday, November 20, at the plush AKKO International Convention Center in a production of Union Boxing Promotion, the fighting outfit that won the bidding to organize this exciting battle for all boxing fans in Ukraine.

Dalakian – the tough Ukrainian of Armenian descent – claimed his world title by soundly defeating veteran Filipino Brian Viloria back in February of 2018 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

After that win, the undefeated Dalakian, 34, has scored 4 successful title defenses, including a devastating chapter 8 TKO victory over Thai warrior Sirichai Thaiyen (59-4, 40 KO’s).

“This is the 5th defense for Dalakian. If he wins, he wants to get in unification fights,” said veteran man of boxing Yuriy Ruban, Dalakian's promoter and president of Ukraine’s Union Boxing Promotions.

“Yes, the goal for Dalakian is to become the undisputed flyweight champion of the world. But for that, Dalakian first needs to go through the experienced and uncompromising Panamanian Luis Concepcion

Meanwhile, a serious-looking, completely 100% focused Concepcion - who has already been a world champion - equally promised a win, aiming to claim a world championship for a third time.

Concepcion made his pro debut back in March of 2006, and from then on, he has waged 48 wars, winning 39 fights, 28 of them ahead of schedule.

In his rumble for the "WBA interim" belt in February of last year, “El Nica” stopped Colombian tough combatant Rober Barrera (23-3, 13 KO's) via TKO in chapter 11.

But since then, all “Interim Titles” have been eliminated by the WBA, the pioneering sanctioning body headquartered in Panama.

So once Nica Concepcion's interim belt was no longer part of the WBA titles, the tough fighter became the # 1 in the WBA Flyweight world rankings as well as the mandatory contender for Dalakian's reign.

Dalakian stated: “The Panamanian Concepción is physically a very strong boxer, constantly advancing forward like a tank. Therefore, Concepcion needs to be kept at a distance. So, I need to be physically fit so as to showcase my superior boxing skills.

PRECATIONS BEING TAKEN DUE TO COVID-19

“This boxing show in Kiev on Saturday will comply with all the required safety measures in the context of the current pandemic situation here in Kiev,” said Dmitry Eliseev, the former boxer who is the current Vice President of Union Boxing Promotions.

“We have received a large number of requests from boxing fans in Kiev who wanted to watch Dalakian's fight live. So, tickets for the show are currently being sold.

“However, only 500 tickets can be on sale, and only vaccinated fans or fans who have tested negative for COVID-19 (test conducted no more than 72 hours before the boxing show), will be allowed to enter the AKKO convention Center to attend the fight.

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Dalakian, Concepcion Make Weight For WBA Flyweight World Title Rumble in Ukraine

Unbeaten Ukrainian WBA flyweight world champion Artem Dalakian (20-0, 14 KO's), and his challenger, hard-hitting former champ Luis "El Nica" Concepcion of Panama, made identical weight of 111 1/4 lbs., (50.46 kilos) ahead of their world title battle tomorrow, Saturday November 20, at the AKKO International Exhibition Center in Kiev, Ukraine.

Both power-punching fighters looked absolutely fit, confident, and more than willing to engage in one heck of a rumble that could end by stoppage, but who will stop who?

The clash is Dalakian's 5th defense of the WBA black 'n golden strap he conquered back in February of 2018 at The Forum in Inglewood, California; with the current goal of becoming undisputed champion of flyweight division, a desire shared by his promoter Yuriy Rusban, president of Ukraine's Union Boxing, the fighting outfit producing tomorrow's exciting event.

Meanwhile, the WBA # 1 mandatory challenger Concepcion (39-8, 28 KO's) of Panama - the veteran warrior known for his fan-friendly coming-forward fighting style - aims to regain the world marvel that once belonged to him.

"El Nica" collides tomorrow against Dalakian after demolishing tough Colombian Rober Barrera (23-3, 13 KO's) for a round 11 TKO win, claiming the WBA "Interim" flyweight crown.

However, all interim titles were recently abolished by the WBA.

Dalakian vs Concepción can be seen live in Latin América on ESPN Knockout, in Panama on RPC TV Canal 4, and in Ukraine and Eastern Europe on MEGOGO TV.

The show starts at 7 PM, the main event fires up at 9 PM in Kiev (Eastern European Time UTC +2)

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This is live on TV in Latin América on ESPN Knockout, in Panama on RPC TV Canal 4, and in Ukraine and Eastern Europe on MEGOGO TV.

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Artem Dalakian Breaks Down, Drops, Stops Luis Concepcion in Nine

Artem Dalakian, one of those titleholders who was specifically hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences, miraculously showed no signs of rust after twenty-one months away from the ring,

He dominated Luis "El Nica" Concepcion on pace to a ninth-round stoppage in the fifth defense of his WBA flyweight title. The fight took place at the AKKO International in Kiev, Ukraine, and headlined the event, promoted by the Union Boxing Promotions.

Dalakian, not a spring chicken at 34, acquired his belt in a classy road win over the American favorite and multi-time champion Brian Viloria in February 2018. He defended his belt four times at home with decreasing frequency but the last time he had been seen in the ring was in February 2020, having won a workmanlike decision over unheralded import Josber Perez.

The fact is that 'El Nica' had fought one day before Dalakian, thus having a layoff of the same length. El Nica, like a phoenix, resurrected his career once again that day, stopping Colombian Rober Barrera in a come-from-behind fashion. Concepcion, now 36, acquired a vacant WBA Interim-title from the win, almost nine years since he held the same belt before his TKO losses to Hernan Marquez. The title he had won that day, was later degraded to the #1 ranking in the WBA ratings following a recent campaign to reduce a number of belts by the sanctioning body.

As always, the Panamanian veteran started aggressively. The former WBA super flyweight titleholder took the center of the ring and chased Dalakian, which suited the latter, a natural counterpuncher. Dalakian moved well and easily avoided danger in the first, scoring with back-fire on occasion. The second was much of the same, mostly the Dalakian's round. Concepcion scored with several punches at the end of the round but the final three-punch combo was delivered by the Ukrainian.

In round three, it became obvious that El Nica's punches were felt well by the Ukrainian. However, Artem moved well to avoid unnecessary damage and scored in return. He clinched whenever Concepcion was able to get inside. The fourth was a bit of clinchfest, which was fought mostly on even terms.

Dalakian rallied in the fifth, scoring with several multipunch combinations, and now Concepcion was forced to seek salvation in the clinch. Later on, Dalakian connected with a series of punches, punctuated with a push by his left hand. Down went Concepcion for a knockdown. The rest of the round was fought on even terms, and neither boxer got an upper hand. The Panamanian was rocked again at the beginning of the sixth but sensing he wasn't ready to go just yet, Dalakian took his foot off the gas pedal.

The Ukrainian ran to (and into) Concepcion in the seventh. He was calmed by a counter and continued to box in a more measured style. The late surge by Dalakian almost forced another knockdown but the Panamanian weathered the storm. Yet, Dalakian was a firm general of the ring at that point. He continued to dismantle the guest fighter in the eighth but was unable to get the job done.

It was in the ninth, when the fight was over. Dalakian immediately jumped at his opponent and dropped him hard. As soon as Concepcion was up, he continued to get a beating until the Panamanian's corner threw in a towel.

With the win, rarely fighting yet usually heavy punching Dalakian improves to 21-0, with 15 KOs. Concepcion is now 39-9, with 28 KOs.