Demetrius Andrade Ordered to Defend WBO Title Against Janibek Alimkhanuly This Year
After being ordered to face mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly (12-0, 8KOs) in January, WBO 160-pound champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (31-0, 19KOs) elected to move up in weight to face Zach Parker (22-0, 16KOs). The bout with Parker would’ve been for the Interim WBO 168-pound title. Afterwards, the winner would’ve become the mandatory challenger to undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez.
Andrade and Parker reached a deal to fight on May 21. The two-time WBO champion would suffer a right shoulder injury. The injury, which happened a little over three weeks prior to the fight, would see the fight canceled altogether. With this news, it left the door open for Andrade to return to the division where he didn’t officially vacate his title and resume duties as the WBO champion.
On the flip side, Andrade’s decision to move up in weight opened the door for Janibek Alimkhanuly to face Danny Dignum for the interim title at 160. Alimkhanuly successfully won the interim belt on May 21, knocking out Dignum in two rounds. This set up a possible matchup between himself and Andrade.
THE WBO HAS SET A DEADLINE FOR ANDRADE TO FACE ALIMKHANULLY!
Andrade is out for at least four months as he recovers from his right shoulder injury. The WBO sent out an email to Alimkhanuly’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, stating that Andrade has six months to be physically and mentally ready to face Alimkhanuly. If Andrade isn’t ready or willing to defend his title, he’ll subsequently be stripped. If that indeed happens, the title will be deemed vacant. After that, the WBO championship committee will recommend to the WBO ratings committee that the WBO Interim champion be elevated to full champion status.
So with this ruling, all eyes will be on Andrade as he rehabs his injury. As a soon-to-be promotional free agent, he has numerous option on ways he can choose to take his career.
3Kings Boxing will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
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