Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Andrei Mikhailovich: Unified Middleweight Showdown Headlines Impressive Top Rank Card on July 13

Top Rank have announced that Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) and Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) will fight for Alimkhanuly‘s unified middleweight crown. The co-feature bout on the card will see Raymond Muratalla take on Tevin Farmer in a 10-round lightweight contest. The undercard has also been revealed with Gustavo Lemos making his Top Rank debut. The entire card will be promoted by Top Rank and take place on July 13 at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas LIVE on ESPN+ and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

Top Rank Announce Janibek Alimkhanuly Next Fight and Undercard

Top Rank Card Announced

The big-punching Kazakstani middleweight is ready to defend his unified crown against unbeaten opposition alongside Muratalla-Farmer as the main attractions of a loaded card. The 2016 Olympian has quickly risen through the middleweight rankings, knocking out Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam before demolishing Danny Dignum in May 2022.

The fearsome Kazak became unified champions when he stopped IBF king Vincenzo Gualtieri in the sixth round. His opponent registered his most impressive performance, when he defeated Edisson Saltarin in five rounds after climbing off the canvas himself earlier in the contest. One year later he stopped Les Sherrington in the first round.

Bob Arum Reacts to Co-Feature

Bob Arum offered his reaction to the two main fights: “Janibek is the best middleweight in the world and willing to fight anyone in that division. Mikhailovich is a hungry, undefeated contender, and he is coming from New Zealand to shake up the title picture,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Muratalla can compete with any lightweight in the world, and I expect Tevin Farmer to give him a stiff test. Tevin is a decorated former champion who understands that a win puts him right back in the title picture.”

Alimkhanuly and Mikhailovich Quotes

“I look forward to defending my world titles, and I must give Andrei Mikhailovich a lot of credit. The other world middleweight champions refused the challenge, and he stepped up to the plate,” Janibek said. “On July 13 in Las Vegas, I will show the world ‘Qazaq Style’ again. The road to undisputed continues, and Mikhailovich is in my way.”

Mikhailovich said: “At the end of the day, Janibek is just another guy, another test on my way to greatness. Others will say this is a big deal, but to me, this is fate. I was born for this. Since day one, I have planned to dominate, take over, and control my destiny. I train relentlessly, eat right, and always maintain a warrior’s mindset, so I don’t need any extra motivation because the two belts are on the line.” 

Undercard

Argentinian puncher Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut in a 10-round battle. Lemos made his U.S. debut in April by giving unbeaten contender Richardson Hitchins all he could handle in an IBF junior welterweight world title eliminator, nearly stopping him in the eighth before losing a controversial points verdict.

Junior lightweights William Foster III (17-1, 11 KOs) and Eridson Garcia (18-1, 12 KOs) will collide in a 10-rounder. Foster rebounded from his loss to Henry Lebron last November with a first-round TKO against Lucas Mignoni in March. Garcia also secured a first-round TKO that month, defeating Jose Santos Gonzalez.

Former world title challenger Ruben “Drac” Villa (22-1, 7 KOs) will fight in a 10-rounder at featherweight versus Sulaiman Segawa (16-4-1, 6 KOs). Villa began his 2024 campaign by besting Christian Cruz via decision in April. 

Featherweight prospect Jonathan Lopez (15-0, 11 KOs) looks to extend his knockout streak to three in an eight-rounder. Lopez, who trains with Eddy Reynoso, began his 2024 campaign earlier this month by stopping Edgar Ortega on the undercard of the Emanuel Navarrete-Denys Berinchyk main event.

Bay Area-born junior welterweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (9-0, 5 KOs) will see action in an eight-rounder against Ricardo Quiroz (13-4, 7 KOs). Sheehy returns after February’s shutout decision over Abdel Sauceda.