Artem Dalakian defends WBA flyweight title, stops Sarawut Thawonkham in Kiev

Ukraine’s reigning WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian (19-0, 14 KOs) retained his title Saturday night by stopping challenger Sarawut Thawornkham (20-2, 15 KOs) in round 10 at Parkovy Convention Centre in Kiev.

Thawornkham came to win. The athlete from the South Pacific Asia was very comfortable in 30+ heat while a lot of local fighters suffered from dehydration.

Dalakian tried to establish his lead from round one, yet the Asian southpaw escaped his punches and moved beyond Dalakian’s left hand and foot, leaving Ukrainian champion in somewhat awkward positions. Dalakian and his corner swiftly adjusted with the champion sending more distracting punches and provoking the Thai boxer with a very open stance. Dalakian’s rapid fire counter-attacks at close quarters hurt Thawornkham.

31-year-old Dalakian came into the fight in excellent condition, taking his younger (27) opponent through increasingly bitter experiences, landing both to the head and body. Thawornkham’s resilience gradually vanished, as he ate more leather from the Ukrainian fighter.

At the end of round eight, it was becoming clear that the stoppage was in the air and it was just the matter of time. Dalakian sniffed blood (Thawornkham was actually bleeding a lot) and went for a kill in round ten. The third man in the ring finally intervened and stopped the beating.

The time of the stoppage was 2:08.