Andrei Mikhailovich To Seek Retribution From Alimkhanuly
Most pundits rank reigning unified middleweight champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) as the best at 160 pounds. However, within boxing circles, there are growing concerns about Alimkhanuly, who is just days away from his October 4 title defense against Australian Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs). There are signs that Alimkhanuly is a fighter lacking in focus and discipline. If that is the case, it will spell serious trouble against Mikhailovich, who is raring to fight the hard-hitting champion.
OMINOUS SIGNS
Alimkhanuly and Mikhailovich were to fight in July 2024 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Qazaq Style had to withdraw when he passed out after the pre-fight weigh-in due to severe dehydration.
This time around, Alimkhanuly didn’t arrive in Australia until October 1. That’s unusually late for any fighter. It’s alarming when you consider that the unified champion resides in California.
FEELING DISRESPECTED
All of this has only fueled Mikhailovich’s fire. During an exclusive interview with the media outlet Sporting News, the challenger said he’s on a mission to punish Alimkhanuly.
“I don’t care what he thinks. His arrogance blinds him. That’s how I feel. I think he’s just this arrogant prick that talks. Just to be so bluntly arrogant about this whole thing, about how he’s going to knock me out.”
“I just don’t believe it’s going to happen. I believe 150 million percent I’m going to murder him. I’m just going to smash him. What do you think this is? I should be nice and respectful – nah, stuff that. He mucked us around, and all you’ve done is make it worse for him.
This was going to be a short and sweet beating. Now, it’s going to be a prolonged bashing. That’s the only difference now.”
A VULNERABLE CHAMPION?
On paper, the champion is a sizable favorite and the more talented fighter. However, that may be neutralized by him arriving so late in Australia. Typically, when fighting overseas, you want to arrive 10-14 days before an upcoming contest. You do this to get rid of the jetlag, and for your body to adjust to a new environment.
Also, some boxers tend to put on a couple of pounds when traveling long distances and need a few days to work off the added pounds The camp of Alimkhanuly has done none of that. Given his weight issues earlier this year, this can only be described as unprofessional behavior and planning.
As a result, it’s difficult to envision that the middleweight champion will be at his absolute physical peak. Mikhailovich is ready to take advantage and expose Alimkhanuly, if he’s off his game. Should the challenger win, it would be considered one of the upsets of the year.
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