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.
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran fight reporter with lifetime passion for the sport of boxing. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.