Janibek Alimkhanuly made his second IBF test weight of 10-lb today and is ready to defend his IBF middleweight title against Andrei Mikhailovich today, October 4, at The Star in Sydney, Australia. In Janibek’s social media photo, she’s slimmed down to test the 10-lb rehydration limit.
Janibek (15-0, 10 KOs) looked much bigger and older than Mikhailovich during their weigh-in and final press conference. They should fit in height at 6’0″, but that’s not correct.
Mikhailovich appears to be close to 5’10” and is not strong. He’s not a puncher like Janibek, so he’ll have to find a different way to win tonight.
The Janibek-Mikhailovich event will be shown live on ESPN+ in the US starting at 5:00 am ET/2:00 am PT.
“If you hit a dog, you become a dog. I knew I was going to fight for the world title, regardless of what people said. “Fighting Janibek is very good,” said Mikhailovich to Fighthype. “It’s a real honor for me and a real privilege. I think you are a great fighter.
“Sharing a ring with him is a wonderful thing. I’m really proud and really happy. Janibek has an important business. He is very serious. He is from the Eastern Bloc. They are tough, tough people. I’m also from the Eastern Bloc, but I also have a Kiwi swagger about me. That’s the only difference.
“I still come from the same place as him, but don’t you ever become a joke with all kinds of playfulness and stupidity. If 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’m happy to get rid of people.
“Also, it’s all a big game. In 72 hours or in a week’s time, there will be another big thing. People will forget about me and Janibek until I fight again. It’s a continuous cycle. You have to enjoy it while you’re doing it.
“I believe that he is humble. If you listen to what I’m saying, I didn’t say a single bad word about him. I just came to enjoy myself,” said Mihailovich.
We are ready 😤 pic.twitter.com/3Ye7caa2N9
– Janibek Alimkhanuly (@qazaqstyle) October 4, 2024
