Janibek Alimkhanuly says Terence Crawford will not need to move down to 160 to challenge WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames for his title.
Janibek’s challenge to Crawford
Janibek, IBF and WBO 160-lb champion, declares that he will defeat WBA champion Erislandy Lara on December 6, then Adames for his belt. Then Crawford can fight him for all four belts when he’s ready.
The biggest problem with the undefeated Janibek (17-0, 12 KOs) is that Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) has never shown any interest in fighting him. And now that Crawford is sniffing around and hinting at moving down to 160 to capture a world title in the sixth division, there’s even less reason for the 31-year-old Adames to fight Alimkhnuly. Why take on that risky fight when he can sit and wait for Crawford?
Crawford’s easier way through Adames
The WBC title is the equivalent of the golden ticket for Adames, as he is the one with the best chance of getting the Crawford fight. Bud, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, sparred with Adames years ago and reportedly won him over in 2014. Going up against Adames will be easier for Crawford than facing the likely King of the 160-lb division, Janibek, for his titles if he prevails in his fight against Lara on December 6.
No need for Adames fight
He didn’t have to fight Adames. I’ll beat both Lara and Adames, take all four belts, and then he can take his time and get ready to fight me. https://t.co/Pu5JzKm33j
— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@kazaqstyle) 30 October 2025
It’s understandable for Janibek to want Crawford to challenge for his belts at 160 because the payday would be huge in the millions fighting him. If Crawford moves down to middleweight and faces Adames instead, he can either give up after taking the WBC title from him and settle for a title shot in the sixth division or retire.
Height and style adjustment factor
The 5’11 1/2″ Janibek would be one of the tallest opponents the 5’9″ Crawford has fought since his fight against the 5’11 1/2″ Viktor Postol on July 23, 2016. He had a lot of trouble with the lanky Ukrainian in that fight and had to rely on his hand quick movement12 and had to rely on his hand quick movement.
Janibek vs. Lara will co-feature the Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Lamont Roach event fight. The event will be shown on Amazon Prime Video PPV. The 42-year-old Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) will be on a 15-month layoff since his last fight against Danny Garcia on September 14, 2024. Lara stopped former two-division world champion Garcia in the ninth round.
Last updated on 31/10/2025
