Costa Rican David “Medallita” Jiménez was a prophet in his own land, successfully defending his WBA Interim Super Flyweight Title in front of his home crowd. With the passionate support of his fellow countrymen, he secured a unanimous decision victory over a tough opponent, Nicaraguan Keyvin Lara, at the Polideportivo de Cartago, the champion’s hometown venue.
Jiménez returned to the very place where his professional journey began on February 16, 2019, when he made his pro debut by knocking out Mexico’s Emmanuel Villamar in three rounds.
A Display of Skill and Strategy
“Medallita” put his best boxing on display against a seasoned veteran whom he never underestimated. Over the course of 12 hard-fought rounds, Jiménez maintained control while also navigating moments of intensity that kept the crowd on edge.
Lara refused to go down without a fight, engaging the champion in fierce exchanges without hesitation. The Nicaraguan had his moments, particularly in the middle rounds, where he absorbed Jiménez’s power shots without wavering and responded with his own clean punches.
An Emotional Battle from Start to Finish
The fight began with high energy as Lara came out pressing the action. Jiménez, staying composed, fought smartly on the counter, gradually taking command of the bout against an opponent who showcased excellent conditioning throughout.
The judges delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Jiménez with the following scores:
• 120-108 (Carlos Manzanares)
• 119-109 (Aida Tejada)
• 116-112 (Alexis Marin)
The bout was officiated by veteran Panamanian referee Gustavo Padilla, who oversaw his 114th world title fight.
Jiménez Keeps Climbing
With this victory, Jiménez improves to 17-1 (11 KOs), while Lara falls to 32-7-1 (12 KOs).
Previously, “Medallita” came up short in his attempt to dethrone then-champion Artem Dalakian in a close decision in the UK. However, he rebounded by capturing the WBA Interim Title with a victory over John “Scrappy” Ramírez.
This win marks his first successful title defense, keeping his championship dreams alive as he continues his rise in the super flyweight division.
