WBA orders Artem Dalakian vs. Sirichai Thaiyen

Newly-crowned WBA flyweight champ Artem Dalakian won’t get the chance for a victory lap, as the sanctioning body has ordered him to face Thailand’s Sirichai Thaiyen. The two have thirty days to negotiate and must fight within 120 days of Dalakian obtaining the title.

Thaiyen (49-3, 34 KO) has an appalling record even by Thai standards. Let’s take a closer look. Of his 52 professional opponents, 19, including three of his last five, had zero professional victories, including 13 making their pro debuts. 29 had losing records. He has not fought a single person with a >.500 win rate in his last 11 fights.

He beat Koki Eto for an interim title in 2013, edged out Takuya Kogawa in his sole defense, and then got stopped by Juan Carlos Reveco after dropping him in the second.

Dalakian (16-0, 11 KO) won a foul-filled rumble with Brian Vilora last Saturday and should be a sizable favorite.