Egis Klimas Petitions For Alimkhanuly to be WBO Mandatory Middleweight Challenger
Middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is on a rapid ascent. The former 2016 Olympian scored an eighth-round TKO over former WBA world middleweight champ Hassan N’Dam TKO on November 20 at the Mandalay Bay Resorts & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Only eleven fights into his professional career, the 28-year-old ranks second (WBO), fourth (WBC), and ninth (IBF) at 160 pounds. His handlers include manager Egis Klimas and promoters Top Rank. They believe he is ready to fight for a world title.
Following Alimkhanuly’s win over N’Dam, Klimas has petitioned the WBO to move his fighter up to the mandatory contender. The intent is to force a match against the current WBO world middleweight champion, Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs). Klimas made the petition by way of an email to the WBO on November 21 and made the following statement on his social media.
“As per WBO regulations, the deadline of mandatory for Middleweight World Champion Demetrius Andrade is next month in December of this year. We would like the WBO committee to consider middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly for mandatory position.”
A NEW CHALLENGER?
The defending champ has made a lot of waves asking for a big fight against fighters such as undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, WBC 160-pound king Jermall Charlo, and IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. But up to this point, Andrade has been unable to land a fight with any of the three.
Given his difficulties securing the fights he most desires, Alimkhanuly is a good fall-back option. The fighter nicknamed “Qazaq Style” has fought on ESPN numerous times. His win over N’Dam was on the Terence Crawford – Shawn Porter ESPN+ pay-per-view undercard, a prominent slot.
The contest would be intriguing to hardcore heads. Those who have watched Alimkhanuly in action know he’s a genuine talent. Based on skill and physical attributes, he could give Andrade his toughest test since he won the WBO strap back in 2018.
This is bold on the part of Klimas and Team Alikhanuly. It’s a sign of how they feel about the fighter. If the WBO accepts their request, Janibek would likely meet Andrade at some point in 2022. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing for further developments.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
