Artem Dalakian is determined to become a unified champion before the end of the year.

The path could either be relatively quick or a long wait, depending on the moves of the other divisional titlists.

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez lifted the IBF belt and defended his WBO title in a ninth-round stoppage of Sunny Edwards last December 16 to cement his claim as the best flyweight in the world. However, the two-division titlist strongly suggested a move back up to junior bantamweight in lieu of a pursuit to become undisputed champion.

“No, I was not disappointed,” Dalakian told BoxingScene.com of Rodriguez’s declaration. “Rodriguez is a good boxer, and a true world champion. I hope he stays and I will wait for my chance to fight for the unification.”

For now, Dalakian is locked in on his mandatory title defense versus number-one contender Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11KOs) this Tuesday at EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan. The fight is his first since a twelve-round, unanimous decision over previous mandatory challenger David Jimenez last January 28 in London.

With a win, the Ukraine-born Armenian flyweight will pursue something that has evaded his six-year title reign—a showdown with any available and fellow titleholder.

“I would like to fight against Julio Cesar Martinez for two belts,” noted Dalakian of the long-reigning WBC champ.

Mexico City’s Martinez (20-2, 15KOs; 2NC) has held the WBC title since December 2019. He has made just six title defenses, with several canceled bouts due to illness and injuries.

Dalakian-Akui is the chief support of a four-fight ESPN+ telecast, which begins at 4:00 a.m. ET. Headlining the show, lineal/WBC/WBA junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (22-1, 14KOs) defends his crown versus WBA mandatory challenger and former interim titlist Carlos Canizales (26-1-1, 19KOs).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox