Janibek Alimkhanuly, current holder of the IBF and WBO middleweight titles, is set to defend his belts in a twelve-round battle against Andrei Mikhailovich. However, this match-up may not be the most compelling for Alimkhanuly’s quest to gain recognition in the boxing world. Throughout his eight-year career, the Top Rank-promoted fighter has faced a string of relatively unknown opponents, like Mikhailovich, who is currently ranked #3 in the IBF and #10 in the WBO with a record of 21-0 and 13 KOs. This lack of high-profile opponents has hindered Alimkhanuly’s ability to break into the mainstream consciousness of the sport. Despite being a two-belt world champion, he remains one of the least-known titleholders due to the obscurity of his competitors, such as his last foe, Vincenzo Gualtieri.
In the co-main event, Raymond Muratalla, ranked #2 in the WBC and WBO lightweight divisions, will face former IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer in a ten-round clash. Muratalla, boasting a record of 20-0 with 16 knockouts, is on the cusp of a title shot in his weight class. However, he has struggled to secure a championship bout as the reigning champions have been hesitant to face the hard-hitting contender. Muratalla may need to take the mandatory route to earn his shot at a world title, as the current champions are unlikely to grant him an easy opportunity. On the other hand, Farmer, with a record of 33-5-1 and 8 KOs, has experienced a resurgence in his career after a three-year hiatus following his defeat to Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz in 2020. Since returning to the ring in 2023, Farmer has secured three victories against lesser-known opponents, signaling his readiness to once again compete at a high level.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank has expressed confidence in Alimkhanuly’s abilities, declaring him as the best middleweight in the world willing to face any challenger in his division. The arrival of the hungry and undefeated Mikhailovich from New Zealand adds an element of unpredictability to the title picture, potentially shaking up the rankings and setting the stage for an intriguing showdown. As Alimkhanuly looks to solidify his status as a dominant force in the middleweight division, fans can anticipate an action-packed evening of boxing at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas on July 13th.