Alimkhanuly successfully defends the WBO title

Janibek Alimkhanuly, the unbeaten southpaw from Kazakhstan, defended his WBO middleweight world title with a second-round knockout of Canada’s Steven Butler. The 30-year-old champion landed a left hook and followed with a series of lefts, flooring Butler thrice before the referee stopped the bout.

Following the recent win, the 30-year-old Kazakh fighter is now 14-0 with nine knockouts to his name.

After the fight, Alimkhanuly called out two of boxing’s biggest names, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, to fight him. He boasted, “I am the most-avoided boxer. I am the middleweight king. Let’s go, fight. Top Rank, who is next? Canelo and Charlo, I’m coming. I’m ready for anybody, any time, anywhere.”

Butler, who managed to stay on his feet after the first left uppercut from Alimkhanuly, was overwhelmed by the Kazakh fighter’s further left hands, and eventually, the referee waved off the fight after Butler hit the canvas twice more. Butler only managed to land two punches throughout the entire fight, while Alimkhanuly landed a total of 25.

This victory marks Alimkhanuly’s ninth knockout of his career and reinforces his place as one of the most dangerous fighters in the middleweight division.

Alimkhanuly’s next fight is yet to be announced, but he has already set his sights on two of boxing’s biggest names. The challenge has been thrown down to Canelo and Charlo to take on the Kazakh fighter, who is ready to fight anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

Janibek Alimkhanuly’s success in the ring continues to impress, and with every fight, his reputation as a dominant fighter grows. Boxing fans will be eager to see who he will fight next and whether he will be able to maintain his unbeaten record or how long he will still remain champion of the middleweight division. 

Leon Osamor