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When Artem Dalakian took the stage for the press conference for his WBA flyweight title defense against David Jimenez, he made sure to take the seat normally reserved for challengers. It wasn’t about being an away fighter or having a challenger spirit. He didn’t want to sit in front of a picture of a Russian.
The Ukrainian made his sixth defense of his world title on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s world light heavyweight title defense against Anthony Yard. And while Beterbiev may be living in Canada these days, Dalakian wants nothing to do with anyone representing the country that is currently destroying his hometown.
Darakian hasn’t boxed since 2021 when he stopped Luis Concepcion in Kyiv months before the Russian invasion began.
“I think it’s right that Russian boxers should not be competing because their country is an aggressor and they should not be seen doing so,” Dalakian said.
“When I signed the contract, I didn’t know Beterbiev Yarde would be the main eventer. I’m just focused on my fight and want Yade to win.”
Dalakian lives in Kyiv and is exempt from conscription because he has four children. However, after the invasion began, his wife and children left the country, and the 35-year-old Darakian lived and trained alone, hoping to continue his career.
“I never stopped training when the war started.
“I have four children and the law says that if you have four children you don’t have to be in the military. I took my family out of the country and brought them back.
“It’s scary and sad. We are waiting for Ukraine to win so that it can become a prosperous country again.
“I haven’t seen my family in five months, but we’re talking on FaceTime. I hope the war is over by the summer and we can all go home.”
The boxer, along with celebrities such as Vitali and Vladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko, has played a leading role in gaining global support for spreading the plight of Ukraine.
“All sportsmen stand for Ukraine and fight for peace,” Darakian said. “I know Usyk and Lomachenko very well because they have been with the national team since they were 18.
“In the future, every Ukrainian boxer will show how strong this country is.”
Jimenez, a Costa Rica native, defeated Ricardo Sandoval by majority vote in Los Angeles last summer and remains undefeated in 12 games. However, his short professional career was underpinned by his long amateur career, which included a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships.
“I expect a successful title defense, but I think it will be a good fight for the British fans,” Darakian said.
“I’ve seen Jimenez fight and respect him as a boxer. But I think I’ll handle everything.”
It was Darakian’s first title defense outside of Ukraine, and he won the vacant belt in 2018 by defeating Bryan Viloria in Los Angeles.
“I don’t care where you box, it’s up to the promoter,” Dalakian said. “I am happy that boxing can be done anywhere in the world.
“All I see is the hotel and the arena, but there are days after the battle for tourism.”
Ron Lewis is a Senior Writer for BoxingScene. From his 2001 to 2019 he was a boxing correspondent for The Times, covering his four Olympics and numerous world title fights around the world. He has written about boxing for various publications around the world since his 1980s.
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