WBA orders Dalakian to defend Jimenez

The World Boxing Association (WBA) formally obligated the flyweight champion on Monday Artem Dalakyan (21-0, 15 KOs) make a mandatory defense against an undefeated Costa Rican David Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs). The parties must agree by August 31. If both parties fail to reach an agreement, a promotional auction will be scheduled.

Jimenez became the mandatory challenger after a surprise victory over Ricardo Sandoval on July 16 in Los Angeles. Sandoval was the mandatory contender for the IBF title but never took advantage of the opportunity and instead tried to go down the WBA line. This move cost him the title fight.

Dalakyan hasn't fought since last November in Kyiv, when he knocked out former WBA super flyweight champion Luis "El Nicu" Concepción in the ninth round. The undefeated 34-year-old made his fifth successful defense of the belt, which he won by unanimous decision in February 2018 against former two-division champion Brian Viloria in the United States, in his only career fight outside of Ukraine.