Unbeaten flyweights Artem Dalakian and David Jimenez clash on Beterbiev-Yarde card
Undefeated Ukrainian Artem Dalakian (21-0, 15KO) will defend his WBA World flyweight title for a sixth time to unbeaten challenger David Jimenez (12-0, 9KO) on January 28 in London.
The 112-pounders will provide chief support to the headlining fight at the OVO Arena, Wembley, between light-heavyweights Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde, live on BT Sport.
Defending champion Dalakian is approaching a five-year reign as champion, having won the WBA belt back in February 2018.
Now 35, he’s been unfortunately inactive during his career, competing in just 21 bouts over the past 11 years, and he didn’t fight at all during 2022. Part of his inactivity has been put down to the COVID pandemic, as well as different situations.
Trained by Igor Gapon and Andriy Syniepupov, Baku-born Dalakian first started boxing at the age of 13 and competed in several international tournaments all over Europe.
He is currently ranked fourth best flyweight in the world by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and third by The Ring Magazine, with Briton Sunny Edwards in the No.1 position with both.
Ranked in sixth spot (by The Ring) is David Jimenez, 30 from Costa Rico, who won a World Championships bronze medal in 2013, which was the same year his forthcoming opponent had won and defended his first professional title (WBA International) and moved up to 8-0.
As an amateur, he won a staggering 315 from 350 bouts, which is an incredible record and best education to have behind him, which is how he has been able to rise up so swiftly in the pro ranks.
Unlike his next foe, Jimenez has fought regularly – 12 times within four years – to land his first world title shot, after winning WBC Latino and WBA Gold titles.
In his last fight, he just scraped through with a mixed decision verdict over 12 rounds against Ricardo Sandoval, managing to score an 11th round knockdown to just edge the favoured American from the away corner. That upset victory is his biggest win to date.
Styles
Dalakian likes to box on the backfoot where he hangs his left hand low to draw his opponents in for counter opportunities. He sometimes looks reminiscent of Prince Naseem, especially when he’s on the front foot attacking his opponents.
Jimenez is sharp, fluid, aggressive and loves to go to war! He is tough too, he was hurt several times during his last fight, but still managed to win. He puts a lot of power behind his punches, which causes him to miss wildly at times, which will go against him when he’s in with expert counter-puncher Dalakian.
Predictions
Both these flyweights have KO ratios above 70%, so this should make for an electrifying fight!
They each have very good amateur schooling, can fight on the front and back foot, both are powerful and are closely matched in the world rankings.
Dalakian has the greater experience in the pros and at world level, but Jimenez has the better amateur pedigree and momentum behind him and is on his way up. However, as the champion, Dalakian has shown no signs of slowing down, even with 19 months out he was still able to defeat Luis Concepcion by knockout in his last fight.
This is going to be one of the best fights of the year so far and one fight fans should definitely not miss.
Jimenez is going to be a livewire from the very first bell, but I believe the champion will be calculated, clever and clinical. I can see the pair getting tangled up a lot, as Dalakian’s style involves slipping shots and clinching a lot, especially in the early stages, and Jiminez is none for excessive holding, even having a point deducted in his last fight for it/.
But I think Dalakian will fight intelligently and patiently on the backfoot for the first few rounds, sneaking in heavy shots often to gradually wear down and tire the challenger before turning the tables to go on the front foot when the timing’s right to begin to hunt him down and start to go for the stoppage.
Jimenez has been floored before and was hurt during his last bout, so I can Dalakian stopping him late after nine rounds, but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes the full 12. Either way, I have the champion retaining his title.
