Undefeated Top Rank prospect, Janibek Alimkhanuly, is hopeful to become a middleweight star in the near future. With just five fights on his professional record, the 25-year old from Kazakhstan is looking to capture the WBO Global and WBC Continental Americas middleweight titles on April 12th when he faces Cristian “Ruso” Olivas (16-4, 13 KOs).
“I am very happy to fight two belts in my sixth fight of professional boxing. This is just one step toward a world title,” said Janibek.
Janibek chose to make a location change from Kazakhstan to Southern California so he can be closer to his manager Egis Klimas, and such stable-mates as Vasily Lomachenko and Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Plus, the yearlong sunny weather isn’t so bad either, but for now, Janibek had to leave behind his family who will soon join him in the States.
“I am feeling very good. I like the United States because here is my second family – my coach, my manager, my promoter. I’ve been living here one year. Yes, I miss my country, but if you have a goal, you can live anywhere. My goal is to be a world champion,” said Janibek. “I hope this year, maybe next year, I will bring my family and we will live together. My family understands why I am here in the U.S. and not with them; they understand my job, they understand boxing. I am very happy because they understand.”
With this recent move, Janibek made his U.S. debut on September 2018 and has been consistent in the ring since. In February, Janibek delivered a sensational TKO victory in Frisco, Texas. He stopped his opponent, Steven Martinez, in the sixth round of a scheduled eight.
“I am ready not just for this continental belt, I am ready for all titles, but I understand professional boxing. If you want to fight in a world title, you have to beat the 15 top rankings,” said Janibek. “So these two belts will get me a chance to be in the 15 top fighters. I am ready now, if it happens, I will be ready this year. I hope maximum, next year, I will fight for a world title”
Dubbing the nickname “Qazaq Style”, the Kazakhstani middleweight wants to show the boxing world that “Mexican Style” isn’t the only style of boxing that can win the fans over. Just 12 days after his 26th birthday, Janibek will be taking on Olivas on the undercard of Lomachenko-
