Janibek, Mikhailovich Make Second Day Weight; The Argument Remains About Degrees
Janibek Alimkhanuly and Andrei Mikhailovich will face each other ahead of their postponed IBF/WBO middleweight title fight in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
Janibek Alimkhanuly had less trouble cutting weight twice than his teammates in deciding what to face for Friday’s fight.
The undefeated and combined middleweight weighed in at 171.7 kilograms at the second day’s IBF weigh-in. Marks that were slightly below the age average of 7.5% were allowed, according to the IBF’s revised same-day weigh-in rules. IBF challenger Andrei Mikhailovich weighed in at 169.2 pounds as he prepares for his shootout debut.
Both fighters were within the contractual limit of 160 pounds during Thursday’s pre-fight weigh-in. Alimkhnauly (15-0, 10 knockouts) was 159 ½ pounds, while Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) was 159.9 pounds.
Their fight headlines an ESPN+ show on Friday at The Star in Sydney, Australia. This event will also be broadcast here on Kayo Sports.
Initially Alimkhanuky was only supposed to defend the IBF belt. However, the WBO’s latest decision reiterated that his belt is at stake in what the sanctioning body sees as a voluntary title defense.
The announcement angered team Alimkhanuly, who felt cheated to go along with the IBF weigh-ins for the second day. The clause does not apply during the protection of the consolidated title. The fight was billed as a mandatory IBF title defense until October 1. 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 weigh-in fight started when Alimkhanuly was hospitalized due to dehydration.
Mikhailovich was left out of the fight as a result. Alimkhanuly was then called by the WBO—and the title he holds—to provide medical evidence as to what led to his dehydration and whether he is fit to continue reigning.
Meanwhile, the IBF intervened and put the fight back on the table. This issue provided a historic moment for the #PurseBidHeads team of the game. 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 trying to defend his fourth title and first IBF belt. He knocked out undefeated Vincent Gualtieri in the sixth round of their IBF/WBO unification fight last October 14 in Rosenberg, Texas.
