More than a year out of the ring: Artem Dalakyan returns

Artem Dalakyan (21-0, 15 KOs) returns. The Ukrainian boxer has been out of the ring for more than a year, but his next fight will take place outside of Ukraine - in London at Wembley Stadium. The opponent is five years younger Costa Rican David Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs).

A difficult opponent, especially if you take into account all the disadvantages in the preparation of the Ukrainian. But the chance is great, because the scheme with signing a contract with Warren can work with Dalakyan as well.

Dalakyan has not boxed for more than a year. Artem's career barely broke out of Kyiv halls

There are less bad things about fights at home than we usually think. Many fighters compete at home their entire career, and this does not prevent them from achieving their goals. But one thing - at home in Great Britain or the United States of America and another - in Ukraine. It's not bad in Ukraine, just the potential for big broadcasts, which means money and popularity, which leads to titles, is lower.

And even in Ukraine, you can box in large arenas, like the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, or even the arena in Brovary, or you can box in "Parkovo" or "AKKO", as Dalakyan boxed. Artem is a boxer of larger arenas. Not all the time and not in the main shows, but small halls where everyone has their own - not for the fights of the world champion with a really cool level of boxing.

The last time the Ukrainian defended the title of world champion according to the version of the WBA in the lightest division at the end of 2021. Opponent Luis Concepcion gave a cool confrontation as much as he could. But he still lost prematurely in the ninth round. His defeat is not so much due to personal bad boxing. It's just that Dalakyan looked very powerful.

After that, Artyom was definitely not into boxing. Russia's invasion of Ukraine destroyed any possibility of boxing at home. Other boxers still found options to appear in big fights. Dalakyan was also given a fight, but later - he will box in January 2023.

Boxing Federation of Ukraine. Artem Dalakyan (in the center) has not boxed for more than a year

At the same time, his opponent does not rest at all. In 2022, Jimenez appeared in the ring three times. Twice at home. There he beat Darwin Martinez and Daniel Mendoza. Not to say that the victories were important or decisive. The record of the former is 7-2, the latter is 11-13 at the time of the match.

David then flew to the United States to fight Ricardo Rafael Sandoval, whose record was 20-1 before the fight and 20-2 after the fight. This matchup took place on the undercard of Ryan Garcia and Javier Fortuna and looked good.

A typical fight of the lightest weight category, where the guys are so active that the initiative really changes hands. One judge even saw the match as a 113-113 draw. The other two gave victory to Dalakyan's next opponent: 114-112 and 114-112.

The debut in the USA was definitely successful. Jimenez has shown himself to be a stubborn, active boxer with a desire to attack and keep the face in tension. And his knockdown in the eleventh round is truly beautiful. Perhaps it was he who decided the result of the meeting, because the rounds were quite close, and David also received a point deduction before that for holding the visavi.

Now, the younger and more active contender is definitely gearing up for not just a fight, but a title fight against the 35-year-old champion, who hasn't fought since late 2021. It looks difficult.

Who is the favorite?

Of course, the champion can and should be considered a favorite. Artem Dalakyan has the title of world champion for a reason. He won it just in the USA. In 2018, the Ukrainian flew to the cool veteran Brian Veloria and defeated him in a bloody fight.

After that, Artem very confidently defended the title. Now the Ukrainian already has five powerful defenses on his account. There was never any question about the winner of the fight. The match against Yosper Peres Dalakyan won by the decision of the judges with one hand, because the other was broken in the opening rounds.

At the same time, several factors should not be dismissed. The first is the war in Ukraine. It cannot help or not affect the preparation in any way. It is incredibly difficult morally every day and for everyone. It is difficult to train, to be in peak form. Banal training can be shifted or canceled due to air alarms and arrivals.

The second is the long straight of the champion. At the age of 35, it is very difficult to return to the bantamweight division after more than a year outside the ring. Dalakyan's boxing is fast, based on reaction and counter. At the age of 35, it is very difficult to box like that.

At the same time, the opponent is not easy. Jimenez boxes interestingly. Constantly spends time in the attack, likes to fight with the opponent, compete with him in close combat and clinch. It pours a lot and accurately, takes its toll with activity and work in various racks.

At the same time, it has a kick. Of course, some of David's opponents are mediocre in quality, but 75 percent of early wins is a great indicator. Even in Artem's it is lower - 71.43 percent.

So everything is pretty even. Purely as a boxer, the Ukrainian is guaranteed to be more interesting. Dalakyan knows how to work as a number two, which is important for the fighter Jimenez will rely on. And he does it precisely and hard. And attacks from different angles, which should create more than one problem for David.

On the other hand, the opponent is younger and more active. He is fresh, motivated and ready. He doesn't need rounds to get into a rhythm because he's had that same rhythm all along. Jimenez will attack as usual, going forward from the first rounds in an effort to break Dalakyan's pace and prevent him from breathing.

But for Artem, this is almost the last big chance. If he wins, he can, like Berinchyk, sign a contract with Frank Warren. The British promoter agreed to have a contract to co-promote the Ukrainian if he defends the title. And this, in fact, is a direct way for meetings in Great Britain, and even to the unification of the belts.

The fight between Artem Dalakyan and David Jimenez will take place on Saturday, January 28, in London. The approximate start time of the fight is 21:00 Kyiv time.