Unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly is set for a defense against Andrei Mikhailovich in what has quickly developed into a grudge match.
The fight will take place at The Star in Sydney, Australia, and will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) and Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) represent stark contrasts in personality, adding a unique dynamic to the fight. The stoic Kazakh Alimkhanuly will face the outspoken Mikhailovich, who has not been shy in building up the fight.
“I am the most interesting fight you have had so far, and that is all because of me,” Mikhailovich, 26, said at the press conference. “So thank you, you’re welcome.”
The two were originally scheduled to fight in July, but the bout was canceled when Alimkhanuly was hospitalized. Mikhailovich’s promoter, No Limit Boxing, won the purse bid for the IBF title fight, quickly rescheduling it.
Alimkhanuly, who unified the WBO and IBF belts in a knockout win over Vincenzo Gualtieri last October, will be making his first title defense of 2024. Despite his accomplishments, he has struggled to generate excitement after a close fight with Denzel Bentley diminished some of the buzz surrounding his career.
“He talks a lot, but he’s just a fighter like me,” the 31-year-old Alimkhanuly said through a translator.
Mikhailovich, a New Zealand-based Russian, enters his first world title fight having fought exclusively in Australia and New Zealand. While most of his opponents are relatively unknown on the world stage, he’s won seven of his last eight fights by knockout and has confidently questioned Alimkhanuly’s readiness for the bout, even mocking his late arrival to Australia.
“Do you know what jet lag is?” Mikhailovich quipped. When asked for final words to his opponent, he boldly declared, “I am going to fucking kill you.”
Alimkhanuly remained calm in response: “The day after tomorrow is going to be a very hard day for you. I am going to show you.”