Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank agreed for vacant WBO super middleweight title in December

The super middleweight division has been in the news recently, and the WBO has announced a deal for Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank: Deal agreed for December showdown

The WBO president, Gustavo Olivieri, made his announcement on October 7, announcing that a deal had been reached for Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank. Various outlets are reporting that the bout will take place sometime in December, with a venue to be confirmed in Denmark.

Janibek (17-0, 12 KOs) has not been in action since stopping Anauel Ngamissengue in April 2025. The Kazakh fighter was set to face Erislandy Lara on December 6 last year, before testing positive for meldonium, which led to that bout being cancelled in fight week.

He was subsequently stripped by the IBF and suspended for one year by the WBO, which controversially allowed him to keep his title. That suspension was subsequently lifted after “Qazaq Style” agreed to vacate his 160-pound title and move up to super middleweight. Once he moved to 168 pounds, he was made the mandatory challenger for Hamzah Sheeraz, who decided to vacate the belt rather than face the returning former unified middleweight champion.

Bank (20-0, 11 KOs) last fought on July 25 in the Joshua vs Prenga undercard, defeating Pawel Augustynik by unanimous decision. It was an impressive display from the Dane, who dominated the eight-round bout. Before that, the 25-year-old had scored three consecutive stoppage wins against Tyron Zeuge, William Scull, and Paulinus Ndjolonimu.

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Jacob Bank is a fascinating fight.

Janibek is clearly a talented fighter who enjoyed an impressive amateur career before transitioning into the pro ranks. He is tight defensively and counters exceptionally. He is highly effective, using feints and jabs to trigger movement from opponents, which he often expertly takes advantage of. The Kazakh fighter is difficult to anticipate, as he’s comfortable on the front foot or back foot. He also carries plenty of power.

Bank is an impressive all-round fighter. What stands out when watching him is his agile footwork, which helps him control the distance in fights. This footwork will be vital against Janibek. Bank’s head movement also stands out, enabling him to slip punches and counter quickly.

The Danish fighter is a slick operator and will provide tough opposition for Janibek. Bank’s long levers and sharp footwork will be of paramount importance to negate the strengths of Alimkhanuly. This fight looks like it’s going to happen, with just the date and venue to be confirmed. It truly is an interesting match-up. Looking ahead, we are backing Bank to use his strengths and frustrate Janibek to win by decision.

• Emanuel Navarrete reveals his game plan for O’Shaquie Foster
• Osleys Iglesias vs. Oliver Zaren press conference quotes and fight prediction
• Eddie Hearn explains why Ben Whittaker will always face amplified criticism

Featured Image Credit:

No Limit Boxing