Janibek Alimkhanuly Annihilates Danny Dignum in Two Rounds!
At the Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (12-0, 8 KOs) took on Danny Dignum (14-1-1, 8 KOs) for the WBO Interim middleweight title. Ranked second by the WBO, Alimkhanuly is a 2016 Olympian and one of the prized prospects on the Top Rank promotional stable. The 29-year-old southpaw from Zhilandy, Kazakhstan has been moved quickly up the ranks by his handlers.
Initially showing that he’s someone to keep an eye on when he scored a *second-round KO in October 2020, Alimkhanuly followed that up with stoppage wins over ex-WBA Regular middleweight champions Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam. The trash-talking “Qazaq Style” came into this one full of confidence, telling anyone within shouting distance that he is the now and the future at 160 pounds.
Dignum entered the middleweight world rankings after stopping Conrad Cummings in five to win the vacant WBO European title in November 2019. He’s since defended that regional title three times. Ranked second by the WBO, the 30-year-old had hoped to let fists and not his mouth do the talking.
Alimkhanuly-Dignum came about when full-WBO middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade decided to forego an ordered title defense against Alimkhanuly. He instead opted to pursue a fight for the WBO Interim belt at 168 pounds. Andrade was slated to face Zach Parker for that title but had to withdraw after suffering an injury.
In this battle of southpaws, Alimkhanuly came out the gate firing. He took the center of the ring, and with seventy seconds to go in the opening round, a combination culminated by a left hand-right hook put Dignum on the seat of his pants.
LEAVING NO DOUBT
Alimkhanuly continued to dominate in the second. He used hand and foot feints to freeze his opponent before setting him up for what was a brutal conclusion. With a minute to go in the round, he stunned Dignum with a straight left hand. Two more straight left hands and a left uppercut crumbled the Brit to the canvas. Referee Tony Weeks had seen enough and sensibly called a halt to the fight.
It was a spectacular performance by the victor. Alimkhanuly showed why he’s worthy of the hype. After the fight, he said he’s ready for any of the world champions and would love to face WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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