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The World Boxing Organization has ordered Janibek Alimkhanuly to defend his WBO & IBF middleweight titles against mandatory Hamzah Sheeraz next. They have 15 days to agree before a purse bid.
The WBO’s order comes after Janibek, unbeaten, knocked out Andrei Mikhailovich in the ninth round on October 4th in Sydney, Australia. Janibek (16-0, 11 KOs) appeared to take it easy on the overmatched Mikhailovich, letting him survive until the ninth round before finishing him off with a series of powerful shots.
It’s unknown if the promoters for the unbeaten Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) will give the green light for him to challenge Janibek because this is a far more advanced fighter than the guys that he’s been feasting on during his seven-year professional career.
Is the 6’3″ Sheeraz ready to fight a powerhouse like Janibek, or will he continue to be fed guppies in the small pond in the UK? I don’t see Sheeraz’s management agreeing to let him fight Janibek now or ever at any point. He’s all wrong for Sheeraz, and he always will. Sheeraz is a fringe contender type, but he’s not a true contender from the many fights I’ve watched of him in action. The chin is too fragile.
Hamzah’s recent opposition:
– Tyler Denny: TKO 2
– Austin Williams: TKO 11
– Liam Williams: TKO 1
– Dmytro Mytrofanov: TKO 2
– River Wilson-Bent: TKO 2
Sheeraz was staggered in the early going by Austin Williams earlier this year on June 1st in Riyadh, and many people talked about him being a hype job immediately after the fight. Although Sheeraz eventually scored an 11th-round knockout of Austin, fans saw he had a chin problem.
In Sheeraz’s last fight, he faced the weak-punching EBU middleweight champion Tyler Denny, and he knocked him out in the second round on September 21st at Wembley Stadium.
The fact that Sheeraz was matched against Denny after his poor showing against Austin Williams indicates to some that there is concern among his team about his ability to handle fighters with power. As such, Sheeraz was fed a weak puncher instead of a heavy hitter that could better prepare him for the predatory fish on the open seas.
For appearance’s sake, Sheeraz should challenge IBF/WBO middleweight champion Janibek for his two titles and lose rather than fight WBC champ Carlos Adames or WBA belt holder Erislandy Lara and get blown out of the water.
Being beaten by Janibek gives Sheeraz a better excuse than if Adames or 41-year-old Lara defeats him. There will be less negative backlash because Janinek is considered the best fighter in the 160-lb division.
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