ZHANIBEK Alimkhanuly has been ordered to defend his WBO 160-pound crown against Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz. An official letter sent out by the organisation explained how both parties -Alimkhanuly’s representatives Top Rank and Queensberry for Sheeraz- are now obligated to reach a deal over the next 15 days. It will go to purse bids if no agreement can be reached.
“The minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Middleweight Division is $200,000,” stated the communication, sent out by WBO chairman Luis Batista Salas. The champion, Alimkhanuly, who also holds the IBF strap, was last seen defeating Andrei Mikhailovich in Australia by ninth-round stoppage.
Sheeraz after his most recent win against Austin Williams (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Sheeraz has also been active lately, seeing off Tyler Denny in two rounds on the Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois undercard, snatching Denny’s European crown in the process. Interestingly, the EBU recently ordered Sheeraz to defend his new belt against Denzel Bentley who previously lost in a 12-round world title tilt to Alimkhanuly.
Alimkhanuly declared his desire for further unifications after dismissing the game but limited New Zealander Mikhailovich. Fellow champions Lara and Adames’ names were mentioned in the post-fight interview. Sheeraz presents a different threat entirely. Young, fresh, and a heavy puncher with dimensions that match the Kazakh, Zhanibek will raise his game in line with the threat.