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[jamieson2]

The Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Andrei Mikhilovich fight could land on the Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Tim Tszyu undercard on October 19th.

Janibek Alimkhanuly is saying the fight is not on the Murtazaliev vs Tszyu undercard & will be before that fight.

The WBO Title is not on the line as they have classed it as a non-title fight.

[diehard]

What a shame, as I believe Andrei is ranked the next highest ranking in the WBO. Whoops, that's the IBF. Maybe the IBF will make it a title fight???

[diehard]

Home / Sport / Boxing
Boxing: Andrei Mikhailovich rebooks fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly for IBF world title
Christopher Reive

After a false start in July, Andrei Mikhailovich will get his shot at boxing gold later this year.

The 26-year-old was scheduled to take on undefeated WBO and IBF world middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in Las Vegas in July, only to have the fight called off a day out as Alimkhanuly was hospitalised after fainting during his weight cut.

Speaking to the Herald at the time, Mikhailovich’s coach Isaac Peach called for Alimkhanuly to be stripped of his titles due to unprofessionalism. Instead, the two have locked in a new date, with Mikhailovich getting his opportunity to become a world champion in Sydney on October 4. Mikhailovich’s promoters, No Limit Boxing, won the purse bid for rebooking the fight and opted to stage it in Australia.

“I live in the present, but I certainly haven’t forgotten the past,” Mikhailovich said.

“I respect him as the champion but I know that he doesn’t respect me. It’s why I look forward to taking absolutely everything from him.

“I will be writing my name into the history books alongside Joseph Parker and Maselino Masoe as a world champion. This is my destiny, it’s my everything. I will stop at nothing to make sure the world remembers the name Andrei Mikhailovich.”

The Russian-born New Zealander has struggled to get a high-level fight since bursting onto the scene, with Kazakh boxer Alimkhanuly withdrawing from their original date the latest in a series of setbacks for Mikhailovich.

His only fight in the last 17 months was against Australian journeyman Les Sherrington in April - a first-round stoppage for the Peach Boxing pugilist.

He goes into his world title fight with an unblemished record in 21 professional bouts, with 13 wins by stoppage. Alimkhanuly holds a 15-0 professional record with 10 wins inside the distance.

“In the Olympic Games in Sydney, two Kazakh boxers won gold. Bekzat Sattarkhanov and Yermakhan Ibraimov inspired many Kazakhs,” Alimkhanuly said.

“I grew up with a dream to glorify my country like them. I am very happy that I will box in Sydney. I want to show the world my flag in Sydney once again, as our Olympic champions did in 2000.

“The fight with Andrei is very important to me. Because he is an official contender for my title. He is like a cloud for me now. I must quickly get rid of the cloud to see the sun. Everyone knows and understands that he is easy work for me. I will knock him out very quickly.”

[diehard]

https://www.boxingscene.com/janibek-alim...er--185990

[jamieson2]

What a shame, as I believe Andrei is ranked the next highest ranking in the WBO. Whoops, that's the IBF. Maybe the IBF will make it a title fight???

Yes just the IBF Title on the line. Therefore the IBF's same day rehydration rule will also be in effect. That could be a big advantage for Mikhilovich after Alimkhanuly's issues leading to the original postponement. Weren't both titles on the line for the original date? I wonder what changed...

[diehard]

Yeah, I don't care as long as Andrei gets the title shot in one alphabet and gets the fight. But I'm sure Andrei cares. I just hope Alimkhanuly makes weight. Love how No Limit won the purse bid and it's in OZ. Don't know too much about Alimkhanuly. Is he beatable? I rate Andrei, but he'd be a big underdog.

[jamieson2]

Don't know too much about Alimkhanuly. Is he beatable? I rate Andrei, but he'd be a big underdog.

Alimkhanuly looked fantastic defeating former champions Rob Brant & Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam in the last few years but looked very ordinary at times against Denzel Bentley. He’s recorded 2 wins since that fight, his most recent being a 6th round stoppage over the limited Vincenzo Gualtieri in a WBO/ IBF unification bout. He’s got a decent amateur background & his southpaw style could trouble Mikhilovich.

Alimkhanuly previously fainting during his weight cut forcing the postponement, coupled with the IBF’s same day 10 pound rehydration rule could be a major factor, as Alimkhanuly might have outgrown the division. Include this with Alimkhanuly having to travel to Australia after his promoter lost the purse bid & things could be aligning perfectly for Mikhilovich.

[diehard]

Thanks heaps, jamieson! I'll watch some of his latest fights leading up to Andrei. I do wonder if the postponement the day before at the weigh-in might have something to do with the title being on the line October 4th. It shouldn't, as they didn't strip him of the title, but I can't think of anything else that may have contributed to it being a non title fight with Andrei...

[jamieson2]

The WBO titles are generally known as Bob Arum – Top Rank/ Frank Warren – Queensbury belts & are often kept/ rotated between those promoters. If Alimkhanuly loses, the WBO title will become vacant (even though it is not on the line & being ruled a non-title fight). If the title becomes vacant the WBO’s current #1 Hamzah Sheeraz & #2 Denzel Bentley are Frank Warren – Queensbury promoted. It’s just the usual politics to keep the WBO belts among those promoters.

[diehard]

The WBO titles are generally known as Bob Arum – Top Rank/ Frank Warren – Queensbury belts & are often kept/ rotated between those promoters. If Alimkhanuly loses, the WBO title will become vacant (even though it is not on the line & being ruled a non-title fight). If the title becomes vacant the WBO’s current #1 Hamzah Sheeraz & #2 Denzel Bentley are Frank Warren – Queensbury promoted. It’s just the usual politics to keep the WBO belts among those promoters.

That's sad for Andrei. He beats the champ and he doesn't get the title or even a fight with the #2 or #3 for the title. Would be great to see the IBF step up...the WBO historically have been very, very, good to NZ fighters in their rankings.