WBO Trims Window for Demetrius Andrade to Pen a Bout with Janibek Alimkhanuly
It looks like we are coming closer to a resolution regarding the WBO middleweight title. On May 24, 3Kings Boxing reported that the WBO gave their middleweight champ, Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs), a six-month window to face WBO Interim champ Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (12-0, 8 KOs). Here’s a further update.
In a released statement via their website, the WBO reduced that window and now are giving the fighters a 30-day window to negotiate a deal before the sanctioning body orders a purse bid.
CLOSER TO A RESOLUTION
Andrade has been out of the ring since defending the title for a fifth time with a second-round TKO over Jason Quigley in November 2021. A two-division world champion, “Boo Boo” was set to face WBO number one ranked super middleweight Zach Parker for the vacant WBO Interim title at 168 on May 21. Unfortunately, Andrade was forced to withdraw following a shoulder injury.
Alimkhanuly has quickly risen up the middleweight ranks. The 29-year-old is a 2016 Olympian and one of the prized fighters on the Top Rank promotional roster. He has stormed through his opponents and is coming off a two-round destruction to capture the WBO Interim title in June 2022. In response to the WBO’s decision, Alimkhanuly went to social media to leave a simple yet emphatic message about a possible fight with Andrade.
FIGHTERS GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Andrade hoped a win over Parker would put him in a better position for a fight with nemesis and current undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. But that has been put on the back burner due to his injury. Outside the ring, his career is at a crossroads as he recently parted ways with Matchroom Promotions.
Meanwhile, Alimkhanuly simply wants to fight. Believing he’s the best middleweight in the world, “Qazaq Style” has repeatedly said he’s willing to fight anyone in the division to prove his point. Some fans and pundits fans feel Andrade is avoiding him. If skill, talent, and power account for anything, Alimkhanuly gives any of the top 160-pounders in the world a difficult night.
But despite this decision, a question remains if the fight will ever happen. Will Andrade actually face Alimkhanuly, or will he make an official jump up to 168? The status of this fight is still very much in the air. Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for further developments.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
