Janibek Alimkhanuly made weight today for the IBF’s secondary 10-lb weight test and is set to defend his IBF middleweight title against Andrei Mikhailovich tonight, October 4, at The Star in Sydney, Australia. In a photo of Janibek on social media, he thins for the 10-lb rehydration limit check.
Janibek (15-0, 10 KOs) looked much bigger and older than Mikhailovich during their bout at the weigh-in and the final press conference. They are supposed to be the same height at 6’0″, but that is not accurate.
Mikhailovich appears to be about 5’10” and not that stocky. He’s not a knockout like Janibek, so he’ll have to find another way to win tonight.
The Janibek-Mikhailovich event will be shown live on ESPN+ in the US starting at 5am ET/2am PT.
“If you hit the dog, you become the dog. I always knew I was going to fight for the world title regardless of what people said. Fighting Janibek is great,” Mikhailovich said Battle hype. “It is a real honor and a real privilege for me. I think he is a great fighter.
“To share the ring with him is fantastic. I’m really proud and really happy. Janibek is a serious business. He is serious as hell. He is from the Eastern Bloc. They are tough, hard people. I’m also from the Eastern Bloc, but I also have the Kiwi swagger about me. That’s the only difference.
“I’m still of the same cloth as him, but don’t get it twisted with all the playfulness and silliness. When you take yourself so seriously, it’s boring. People want to have fun. I want to have fun. I don’t drink, and I don’t gamble. I enjoy winding people up.
“Besides, it’s all a big play. In 72 hours or a week there will be another big thing. People will forget about me and about Janibek until I fight again. It is a constant cycle. You have to enjoy it while you’re doing it.
“I believe he is humble. If you listen to what I’m saying, I haven’t said one bad word about him. I’m just here to have fun,” Mihailovich said.
We are ready 😤 pic.twitter.com/3Ye7caa2N9
— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@kazaqstyle) October 4, 2024
