Janibek Alimkhanuly Puts a Beating on Andrei Mikhailovich in TKO Win

Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) put on a beating to defeat Andrei Mikhailovich (21-1, 13 KOs) via ninth-round technical knockout.

The time of stoppage was 2:45. With the victory, Alimkhanuly successfully defended his IBF middleweight title. He is also the WBO champion, but there is a whole saga behind it that can be explained in this document. This was Alimkhanuly’s first time defending the IBF title, having won it with a stoppage win over Vincenzo Gualtieri last October.

Alimkhanuly and Mikhailovich were originally going to face each other on July 13 in Las Vegas, NV. However, severe dehydration resulted in Alimkhanuly having to withdraw from the bout.

The two middleweights wound up headlining a No Limit Boxing Promotions card at The Star in Sydney, Australia. Boxing fans in the United States could catch the action live on ESPN+. Those in Australia could do so with Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. Sky was carrying the action for those in New Zealand. Those in the United Kingdom could watch on Sky Sports+.

Janibek Alimkhanuly Puts a Beating on Andrei Mikhailovich

Fight Recap

Alimkhanuly had success early on with his left hand at range, though Mikhailovich was able to sneak a right in when he got on the inside towards the end of round one. With roughly a minute to go in the second, the New Zealander took several punches that left him wobbled. Alimkhanuly was able to score a knockdown with a left hook just before the end of round two. Mikhailovich got up and was visibly dazed, but was allowed to continue fighting.

JANIBEK IS PLAYING WITH HIS FOOD 😏

🏆🏆 #JanibekMikhailovich | LIVE on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/XddJPuxzLO

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 4, 2024

Following the knockdown, Mikhailovich sought to get on the inside of his opponent. He would lean on Alimkhanuly and try to tie up. Despite taking this approach, the challenger struggled to land many of his own punches. Those that got through did little to hurt the Kazakh, who in turn continued to put a beating on Mikhailovich.

In round nine, a left uppercut had Mikhailovich stunned. Alimkhanuly followed up with another left uppercut that had his opponent fall back on the ropes. It was at this point that referee Katsuhiko Nakamura waved off the fight, putting an end to the beating that Mikhailovich was receiving.

DEMOLITION ⚠️

🏆🏆 @QazaqStyle remains in a league of his own. pic.twitter.com/8sADRIfQyi

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 4, 2024

Post-fight Interview

Janibek Alimkhanuly

“First of all I wanted to thank all my fans here who supported me,” said Alimkhanuly in Kazakh, which was then translated into Russian, after which his manager Egis Klimas translated to English. “As far as the fight [goes], please keep in mind I haven’t been fighting in the ring for a year and the last [time we were scheduled to] fight, it didn’t happen. So it was a good experience for me to come back and shake rust.”

“He [Mikhailovich] is a good boxer. He has a very good team. Nice people and I want to wish him luck.”

“I do have two titles and [another] two titles are missing. Any of [the champions], Adames or Lara, I’m ready anytime. Whatever. Send me a paper and I’ll sign it anytime.”

Undercard Results

Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KOs) won via fourth round technical knockout against Shannon O’Connell (24-8-1, 12 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 125-lb catchweight fight set for eight rounds was 1:02. O’Connell’s corner threw in the towel after she had been cut on the right side of the face and was taking heavy punishment from Motu.

Charlie Kazzi (7-0, 3 KOs) won via seventh round technical knockout against Lui Magaiva (4-7, 1 KO). The time of stoppage for this eight-round clash was 1:18. Kazzi weighed in at 134 lbs while his opponent was just under 127 lbs.

Ahmed Reda (3-0, 3 KOs) won via second round technical knockout against Joe Kara (5-7-1, 5 KOs). This was a lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds.