Janibek Alimkhanuly and Andrei Mikhailovich square off ahead of their ultimately canceled IBF/WBO middleweight title fight on July 13 in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
Janibek Alimkhanuly had two times less trouble making weight than his team when determining the stakes for Friday’s game.
The undefeated and unified middleweight titleholder was 171.7 pounds at the IBF’s second-day weigh-in. The mark was just under the 7.5 percent overweight he was allowed, according to the IBF’s amended rules on same-day weigh-ins. IBF mandatory challenger Andrei Mikhailovich was 169.2 pounds as he prepared for his first career title shot.
Both fighters were within the 160-pound contracted limit at Thursday’s official pre-fight weigh-in. Alimkhnauly (15-0, 10 KOs) was 159 ½ pounds, while Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) was 159.9 pounds.
Their match headlines an ESPN+ show this Friday at The Star in Sydney, Australia. The event will also be broadcast locally on Kayo Sports.
Alimkhanuky was originally expected to defend only his IBF belt. However, a recent ruling by the WBO reiterated that his belt is also on the line in what the sanctioning body recognizes as a voluntary title defence.
The public statement irked Team Alimkhanuly, who felt cheated into complying with the IBF’s second-day weigh-in. The clause is not in effect during unified title defenses. This fight was only recognized as an IBF mandatory title defense until October 1st. However, it was always understood that Alimkhanuly would be stripped of the WBO title should he lose on Friday.
Alimkhanuly-Mikhailovich was previously scheduled to take place on July 13 in Las Vegas. The fight was canceled before the pre-fight weigh-in when Alimkhanuly was hospitalized due to dehydration.
Consequently, Mikhailovich was left without a fight. Alimkhanuly was subsequently summoned by the WBO – whose title he also holds – to provide medical proof of what led to his dehydration and whether he was fit to resume his reign.
Meanwhile, the IBF intervened and put the fight back on the table. The case provided an epic moment for the #PurseBidHeads faction of the sport. No Limit Boxing, Mikhailovich’s promoter, outbid Top Rank by just $1,000 ($351,000 to $350,000) to win the rights to the September 3 fight.
Alimkhanuly is attempting his fourth overall title defense and first of the IBF belt. He knocked out undefeated Vincent Gualtieri in the sixth round of their IBF/WBO unification bout last October 14 in Rosenberg, Texas.
