Alimkhanuly and Gualtieri to Unify Middleweight Titles
Reigning WBO middleweight champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (14-0, 9 KOs) has not been shy about his desire to become a unified champion. He will get that opportunity as his next fight will be against IBF 160-pound champion Vincenzo Gualtieri (21-0-1, 7 KOs). According to ESPN, they will fight on October 14 in Rosenberg, Texas on ESPN.
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
Alimkhanuly won the vacant WBO title in May 2022 when he scored a second-round stoppage over Danny Dignum. Qazaq Style has defended the WBO strap twice. His most recent outing was a second-round destruction of former world title challenger Steven Butler in May 2023.
Gualtieri captured the vacant IBF strap with an upset unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Esquiva Falcao on July 1. A day after Gualtiera’s win over Falcao, Alimkhanuly challenged the new IBF champion to a fight on social media. Gualtieri has gladly accepted the challenge. It’s a testament to both fighters’ competitiveness and fighting spirit that they are willing to face one another and put their titles on the line.
With the lengthy layoff from WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, and the unknown status of Gennady Golovkin, the state of the middleweight division is in flux. There is not a definitive, standout fighter at 160. The winner of Alimkhanuly – Gualtieri will take one step closer to proving who is the elite fighter at middleweight.
