Janibek Alimkhanuly Stops Mikhailovich in Dominant Defense
In a physical and rugged affair, reigning unified middleweight champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) scored a ninth-round stoppage over IBF mandatory challenger Andrei Mikhailovich (21-1, 13 KOs) at the Star Arena in Sydney, Australia.
LEAVING NO DOUBTS
In the lead-up to the fight, some in the boxing community had questions about Alimkhanuly’s fitness and focus. The defending champion erased those concerns emphatically. With thirty seconds to go in round two, a left hook from Qazaq Style had the challenger on shaky legs. A succession of power shots eventually put the challenger down at the end of the round. However, Mikhailovich got up fighting. Instead of wilting away, he went on the attack. While his work was sloppy, he shortened the distance and, at times, smothered Alimkhanuly.
But in round six, the champion began to use his jab to create more punching room. Alimkhanuly began to find the range and land hard punches. The damage took its toll as Mikhailovich was getting battered. A left hook put the challenger down for a second time in the closing seconds of round nine. The weary contender tried to get up. However, the referee had seen enough and waved the fight over.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from Qazaq Style. Afterward, Alimkhanuly said he wants to fight the WBC champion, Carlos Adames, and WBA belt-holder Erislandy Lara to become undisputed at 160.
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