Artem Dalakian vs. David Jimenez | ESPN - January 28, 2023

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA Formally Orders Mandatory Defense Of Flyweight Title

David Jimenez could not have picked a better time to post his best career win to date.

The unbeaten Costa Rican has parlayed his most recent victory into a shot at reigning WBA flyweight titlist Artem Dalakian. The bout was formally ordered on Monday by the WBA, with the two sides given until August 31 to reach terms for the mandatory title fight.

Dalakian (21-0, 15KOs) fights under Union Boxing Promotions in his native Ukraine, while Jimenez is represented by Fight Club Costa Rica headed by Ernesto Sandoval.

Jimenez (12-0, 9KOs) emerged as the number-one contender following an upset win over Ricardo Sandoval on July 16 in Los Angeles. Sandoval was the IBF mandatory challenger but never cashed in that opportunity, instead seeking to go the WBA route. The move cost the streaking contender, who was outworked by Jimenez in the Costa Rican’s first true step up in competition. It also marked the U.S. debut for Jimenez, coming on the undercard of rising lightweight contender Ryan Garcia’s sixth-round knockout of Javier Fortuna.

Dalakian has not fought since a ninth-round knockout of former WBA junior bantamweight titlist Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion last November in Kiev, Ukraine. The unbeaten 34-year-old lodged the fifth successful defense of the belt with the win, having reigned since a February 2018 unanimous decision win over former two-division titlist Brian Viloria in Inglewood, California, his lone career fight outside of Ukraine.

It is almost certain that Dalakian will have to hit the road for his next title defense, Ukraine remains at war, defending its land against the Russian invasion dating back to late February.

The bout will head to a purse bid hearing in the event that the two sides cannot come to terms by August 31.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Talks Ongoing, Costa Rica Eyed To Host WBA Title Fight

Artem Dalakian will likely hit the road for his next title defense.

Talks remain ongoing to finalize terms for Dalakian’s ordered WBA flyweight title fight with mandatory challenger David Jimenez. The bout was ordered on August 31, with the two sides granted a 30-day negotiation period to reach a deal and avoid a purse bid hearing.

Terms are not yet finalized, though Boxing Scene has learned that the fight will likely take place in Jimenez’s native Costa Rica. Enough progress has been made to where the WBA has refrained from sending the fight to a purse bid, as all parties remain optimistic of coming to an agreement.

Dalakian—who is promoted by Union Boxing Promotions—will attempt the sixth defense of the WBA flyweight belt he has held since a February 2018 vacant title win over former two-division titlist Brian Viloria.

The fight took place in Inglewood, California, the lone time that Dalakian has fought outside of his native Ukraine. The 35-year-old from Kiev has not fought since a ninth-round knockout of former WBA junior bantamweight titlist Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion last November in his hometown. His career is understandably in limbo given the ongoing Russo-Ukraine war that has shut down the nation’s boxing scene and just about all other walks of life since February.

Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs)—promoted by Ernesto Saldavor’s Fight Club Costa Rica—emerged as the number-one contender following an upset win over Ricardo Sandoval on July 16 in Los Angeles.

Sandoval was the IBF mandatory challenger but never cashed in that opportunity, instead seeking to go the WBA route. It miserably backfired as he was outworked by Jimenez, a 30-year-old contender from Cartago, Costa Rica who rose to the occasion in his U.S. debut. The fight took place on the undercard of rising lightweight contender Ryan Garcia’s sixth-round knockout of Javier Fortuna, helping raise Jimenez’s profile ahead of his first career title fight.

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FLYWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER ARTEM DALAKIAN TO FACE DAVID JIMENEZ ON JAN. 28

Flyweight titleholder Artem Dalakian will defend his WBA title against David Jimenez in England on January 28, The Ring has been informed.

It was not known where in England the fight will take place, but interestingly it is tabbed for the same date as Artur Beterbiev putting his IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight titles on the line against Anthony Yarde in London. It’s possible Dalakian-Jimenez could appear on the undercard.

Dalakian (21-0, 15 knockouts), who is rated No. 3 by The Ring at 112 pounds, quietly went about his business in Ukraine before coming to the U.S. and impressively beating Brian Viloria (UD 12) for the vacant title in February 2018.

The 35-year-old has since made five defenses, all in the Ukraine, against mid-level opposition. His activity has been badly hit by COVID and the war in his homeland.

Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs), who is rated No. 6, fought internationally for Costa Rica before turning professional in early 2019. The 30-year-old has been able to move relatively quickly.

However, he drew acclaim for his recent win over Ricardo Sandoval (MD 12) in a WBA title eliminator, in which he scored an 11th-round knockdown that made the difference.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Terms Reached For WBA Flyweight Title Fight

It was all but a given that Artem Dalakian would have to travel for his next outing

The good news for the unbeaten WBA flyweight titlist is that the road trip will take place on neutral ground.

BS.com has confirmed that a deal has been reached in principle between Ukraine’s Dalakian and Costa Rica’s David Jimenez for their ordered WBA mandatory title fight. Final details are being worked out, though Union Boxing Promotions—Dalakian’s promoter—confirmed to BS.com that the bout is targeted for late January.

“A preliminary agreement has been reached for the fight, which should take place in the end of January in Europe,” Dmitry Eliseev, co-founder and vice president of Union Boxing, told Boxing Scene. “At the moment we are working on the final agreement.”

The conditional deal in place for the fight was enough to prevent the WBA from having to call for a purse bid hearing. The mandatory title fight was initially ordered on August 31, with both sides eager to make a deal but stuck on where to stage the fight.

Dalakian (21-0, 15 KOs)—an Azerbaijan-born boxer who lives in Kiev, Ukraine—won the vacant WBA flyweight title in a September 2018 win over former two-division titlist Brian Viloria in Inglewood, California. The balance of his reign has taken place in his adopted Ukraine homeland, with all five title defenses taking place in Kiev though he has not fought since a ninth-round knockout of Luis ‘Nica’ Concepcion last November 20.

Staging his next fight at home was not at all an option in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine which has left much of the nation in ruins in addition to the unsafe conditions surrounding everyday residents.

There was consideration given to staging the mandatory title fight in Jimenez’s native Costa Rica, which would have allowed promoter Ernesto Salvador’s Fight Club Costa Rica to take the lead. It was since decided that both boxers stood to make far more at a neutral location.

Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs) emerged as the number-one contender following an upset win over Ricardo Sandoval on July 16 in Los Angeles. Sandoval was the IBF mandatory challenger but never cashed in that opportunity, instead seeking to go the WBA route.

It miserably backfired as he was outworked by Jimenez, a 30-year-old contender from Cartago, Costa Rica who rose to the occasion in his U.S. debut. The fight took place on the undercard of rising lightweight contender Ryan Garcia’s sixth-round knockout of Javier Fortuna, helping raise Jimenez’s profile ahead of his first career title fight.

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Artem Dalakian-David Jimenez: WBA Title Fight To Land On Beterbiev-Yarde Show

[giacomino]

Will be interesting to see if it’s a decent fight. Dalakian hasn’t been fighting anyone with a chance. He’s held a belt for four years and what’s his best opponent? An ancient Viloria or an ancient Concepcion? Waste of talent

[Ruthless-RKO]

Will be interesting to see if it’s a decent fight. Dalakian hasn’t been fighting anyone with a chance. He’s held a belt for four years and what’s his best opponent? An ancient Viloria or an ancient Concepcion? Waste of talent

I hope so. Been waiting ages for the fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Going under the radar a little.

[Evander]

Jimenez looked hyped up proper at the weigh in.
His eyes were popping out of his head.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[goose 5]

115-113 Dalakian for me and I wouldn't argue with 116-112. Tim Bradley screaming robbery after the fight.

[margaret thatcher]

tim bradley is weird, dalakian clearly won a competitive fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

tim bradley is weird, dalakian clearly won a competitive fight

Everytime a card doesn’t go anyone’s way, it’s a robbery.

What did he have it

[Evander]

Decent scrap in a close contest.
I felt Dalakian did enough to get the nod in the end after a strong start.
Jimenez put up a good showing but got a bit reckless at times which cost him.
Strong effort from both boxers though.