Those eager to see unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly test himself will have to wait a while longer, as Dan Rafael reports that “Qazaq Style” is targeting an “April/May” homecoming against Shakiel Thompson.
Thompson (13-0, 9 KO), ranked no. 8 with the WBO, has yet to graduate past the British domestic scene after six years in the game. His biggest win to date came last September over River Wilson-Bent, whose greatest feats were going 0-1-1 with Tyler Denny and lasting eight rounds against “Ammo” Williams.
Though I understand the appeal of feeding Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO) a weak opponent for his first fight on Kazakh soil since 2017, the timing makes this a downright bizarre choice. One would think he’d target the winner of Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz next month, potentially courting Saudi backing in the process. If he insists on taking a fight in the interim, why not get his mandatory rematch with Denzel Bentley out of the way?
Ah, well. At least it’ll make the hometown fans happy.