By Alexey Sukachev

East or West - the home is best. The proverbial wisdom was in place at the Parkoviy Convention Centre in Kiev, Ukraine, where WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian paid his obligatory duties and retained his title with a dominant tenth-round stoppage of Thai import and WBA mandatory Sarawut Thawornkham.

Dalakian put his name into contention with a suddenly wide decision over famed veteran Brian Viloria in February 2018 - in the West. The he came back home to defend the black belt twice - once against the Eastern import in Sirichai Thaiyen, another one - against the Western in Gregorio Lebron. Sarawut, meanwhile, did little to ensure his WBA #1 stature, beating mostly non-descript opposition at home.

The Ukrainian was in full control from the opening round, using angles, sidesteps, showing poise and finesse.

Sarawut mostly marched forward, eating shots giving little in return. As rounds went by, Dalakian resumed full control of the fight and started to deliver his punches at will. The Ukrainian hurt his foe in the eighth with a smashing uppercut, then almost stopped him later on.

The Thai survived in the eighth and in the ninth before finally being heavily rocked with a huge right that put his head between the ropes. Dalakian moved on, forcing a rightful stoppage in the tenth.

Time of stoppage was 2:08. Dalakian improved to solid 19-0, 14 KOs, while Thawornkham goes down to 20-2, 15 KOs.