AS struggle week closed in, Janibek Alimkhanuly was all set to defend his IBF and WBO middleweight titles towards Andrei Mikhailovich tonight within the Pearl Live performance Theater at Palms On line casino Resort, Las Vegas.
Preventing an opponent few may have heard of may not do a lot for Janibek’s legacy, however the man nicknamed ‘Qazak Fashion’ was a minimum of tidying up contenders and staying busy. Till he wasn’t.
Information broke yesterday that excessive dehydration had left the champion hospitalised and in no place to hold on with the struggle.
“Janibek was reducing the ultimate kilos final evening when he fainted,” acknowledged supervisor Egis Klimas.
Anticipated to enter as a unified 160-pound champion and consensus primary, Janibek’s total standing on the weight is now below a special scrutiny.
Because the previous adage goes, ‘you possibly can solely beat what’s put in entrance of you’, and till the folks put in entrance of him considerably enhance, sweeping up challengers and staying energetic has confirmed a eager technique for the 31-year-old based mostly in Oxnard.
One potential future in-house opponent, Troy Isley, is now being spoken about as a reputable problem.
13-0 as a professional and all the time arriving in buff form; in solely his ninth bout, Isley shut down Roy Barringer, who gave contender Ian Inexperienced a number of points over 10 rounds final month.
Different future choices included WBC champion Carlos Adames and even Hamzah Sheeraz (beneath), who fights Tyler Denny on September 21 in Wembley.
Hamzah Sheeraz celebrates stopping Liam Williams (Getty Pictures)
Refusing to be ignored, tonight’s proposed opponent, Andrei Mikhailovich, will now additionally should recalibrate following the crushing information of the postponement. Relishing the underdog tag he had arrived in America supremely assured.
“On the finish of the day, Janibek is simply one other man, one other check on my approach to greatness. Others will say this can be a massive deal, however to me, that is destiny. I used to be born for this. Since day one, I’ve deliberate to dominate, take over, and management my future,” mentioned Mikhailovich, who believed all alongside that his warrior’s mindset could be the distinction.
Now, like the remainder of us, he must wait on a fighter who could should exit 160 altogether.
Alimkhanuly has a behavior of sweeping up opponents similarly to the Kazakh king, who paved a middleweight path for him within the first place. Gennady Golovkin’s period is lengthy gone, however his absence remains to be felt.
The crushing KOs, damaged English interviews and thudding intimidatory energy all added to the GGG enjoyment. He’s missed, however life strikes on, and the middleweights are within the technique of a reshuffle.
A match and firing Janibek Alimkhanuly is at present main that motion. After a technique of psychological reflection and bodily restoration, we are going to see the place the subsequent stage of his journey truly leads.
