Janibek Alimkhanuly celebrates after stopping Danny Dignum for the WBO interim middleweight title at Resorts World Las Vegas on Could 21, 2022 in Las Vegas. Picture by Mikey Williams/High Rank Inc by way of Getty Photos
It wasn’t that way back that IBF and WBO titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly was thought of the way forward for the middleweight division.
The 31-year-old Kazakh southpaw was broadly seen because the successor to his countryman Gennadiy Golovkin, the final nice 160-pounder who retired two years in the past. However the dearth of top-flight competitors within the division has left Alimkhanuly with little possibility however to face all comers as he waits for a rivalry that may cement his title within the public’s thoughts.
Subsequent up for Alimkhanuly is Andrei Mikhailovich, a reputation little identified outdoors of his native New Zealand and neighboring Australia. That’s to not say the enigmatic 26-year-old can’t combat. He clearly can. And he firmly believes it’s his time to shine.
The combat was initially scheduled to happen at Palms On line casino in Las Vegas on July 13 but it surely was canceled on the eleventh hour after Alimkhanuly was hospitalized with dehydration following a tough weight lower.
To complicate issues for Alimkhanuly, the rescheduled bout will now happen at The Star in Sydney, Australia on October 4 after Mikhailovich’s promoter No Restrict received the purse bid with a suggestion of $351,000. Alimkhanuly’s promoter High Rank had bid $350,000.
This prompted Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) to take to social media, posting on X: “I’ve no phrases. What is that this @toprank @BobArum @CarlMoretti?”
Alimkhanuly, rated at No. 1 by The Ring at 160 kilos, has introduced a calmer entrance since, insisting he has no drawback touring to Sydney to field.
“Within the Olympic Video games in Sydney, two Kazakh boxers received gold. Bekzat Sattarkhanov and Yermakhan Ibraimov impressed many Kazakhs. I grew up with a dream to glorify my nation like them,” stated Alimkhanuly in a latest press launch.
“I’m very completely satisfied that I’ll field in Sydney. I need to present the world my flag in Sydney as soon as once more, as our Olympic champions did in 2000. The combat with Andrei is essential to me. As a result of he’s an official contender for my title.
“He is sort of a cloud for me now. I need to shortly eliminate the cloud to see the solar. Everybody is aware of and understands that he’s straightforward work for me. I’ll knock him out in a short time!”
From Mikhailovich’s perspective, all the pieces is falling into place. Whereas Alimkhanuly recovered from his sickness, Mikhailovich educated proper by, persevering with to sharpen his instruments. So assured is Mikhailovich, he’s predicting an early stoppage victory.
“I dwell within the current, however I definitely haven’t forgotten the previous,” stated Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs), who’s presently unrated by The Ring. “I respect him because the champion however I do know that he doesn’t respect me. It’s why I stay up for taking completely all the pieces from him.
“I can be writing my title into the historical past books alongside Joseph Parker and Maselino Masoe as a world champion. That is my future, it’s my all the pieces. I’ll cease at nothing to verify the world remembers the title Andrei Mikhailovich.”
There may be little to realize however a lot to lose for Alimkhanuly on this combat. Ought to he defeat Mikhailovich, many individuals will say he was anticipated to. If he struggles, not to mention loses, his inventory will take successful. Within the fickle world of boxing, the place perfection is anticipated 100% of the time, few will think about that he needed to journey midway across the globe or his obvious difficulties boiling down his massive body to the 160-pound weight restrict, not to mention his fractious relationship along with his promoter. All they are going to keep in mind is his efficiency.
And there lies the rub. Is Mikhailovich getting Alimkhanuly at simply the correct time, or will the duel titleholder show as soon as once more why he’s the category of the division?
On Friday evening, we’ll discover out.
The Alimkhanuly vs Mikhailovich bout can be broadcast on ESPN+ within the USA, Sky Sports activities within the UK, and Kayo Sports activities in Australia.
