David Alaverdian Sweeps the Cards

David Alaverdian defeated Daniel Pacheco at Polideportivo Centenario in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico tonight. The U.S.-based Israeli fighter impressively outboxed a game Pacheco. 

Alaverdian, wearing trunks donning the Israeli flag on his left leg and the American flag on his right, initiated the fight by jabbing and moving. He kept his right hand at a responsible height to thwart Pacheco's left hook. The 27-year-old Alaverdian used his feet to get in, hit, and get out. He often switched to the southpaw stance. Pacheco started the bout a bit wild and spent most of the first bouncing in front of Alaverdian.

David showed off his fast hands and faster feet. He landed lead rights from the outside in the second round. If there was a criticism of his performance throughout the first five minutes, it was he head-hunted too much. In the final minute of the second, Alaverdian rectified the oversight and landed to the body before he came up with a left uppercut.

Understanding that he possessed slower hands and gave up an inch of height and reach, Pacheco tried to bob and weave his way inside. He must have been aware that Alaverdian is known for his body assault, because he kept his elbows low and tight. He had some success to the body himself late in the second round.

The third round featured more of the same. Alaverdian showcased all of his skills. He boxed beautifully. He showed off his defense. He used his feet to avoid the shots for the most part, but he allowed Pacheco to get inside and then blocked virtually all of his shots during one stretch. David went to the head and body with malice and precision, and he landed an overhand left as a southpaw late in the penultimate round. He was better as a righty, though competent as a southpaw, but his constant stance-switching was perhaps an unnecessary risk.

Pacheco found success in the final round. He landed left hooks early and then went to the body and came back up with an overhand right. He next went to the body with both hands and followed up with a right uppercut. Had this been a truncated round, Pacheco would've won it, but Alaverdian closed strong. He displayed vicious left hooks to the head and body to close the contest.

All three judges scored the bout 40-36 for Alaverdian, who is now 3-0 with 2 KOs. Pacheco falls to 4-6 with 2 KOs.

Alaverdian looked like he could be fast-tracked based on this performance. He showed quality technique. His jab was excellent and he varied his attack effectively. He was strong defensively, but had a couple of minor issues. While his right was ready to block left hooks, he held his lead hand low in either stance. A better opponent could make him pay. Sometimes, he moved straight back after landing though his feet are quick enough that he might not pay for that fault too often. In this fight, his power wasn't on display as it had been in his first two pro fights. Regardless, it was a good showing for Alaverdian.