One of boxing’s longest title reigns ended on Tuesday as Seigo Yuri Akui defeated the WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian on Tuesday.
The pair were fighting in Osaka, Japan, and the Ukrainian had made the journey east as he is unable to currently fight in his home country of Ukraine.
Earlier he had spoken in the week of his enjoyment for fighting “on the road” but this proved to be one trip too many, as he lost a unanimous decision on a 116-112 117-111 119-109 scorecard.
Dalakian had been champion for six years but he fell short in at his seventh attempt, and lost his unbeaten record in the process, with Akui fighting on the front foot, with the incumbent looking to stay out of range where possible.
As Akui landed his right-handers effectively he moved into control of the scorecard, though Dalakian attempted to reassert himself with some left hooks.
In round eight, Aku started to press home his advantage and while Dalakian attempt to interrupt his rhythm by clinching, his defensive approach gave him little chance of catching his challenger.
By the time Dalakian had Akui in trouble with a heavy blow in the 10th round, it was too late for him to make a comeback short of a stoppage.
Dalakian had become champion in February 2018 with a win over Brian Viloria, but perhaps the inactivity caused by war and, before that, the coronavirus pandemic, he was not up to the challenge. At 36, it could be a question of age catching up with him.
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