Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Andrei Mikhailovich: Preview, Prediction, How To Watch

Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) is the reigning WBO and IBF middleweight champion, but he’s,. basically, the top middleweight in the world by default.

For the last few years, the 160 lb. class– considered one of boxing’s historical glamor divisions– has been light on main stage talent and lacking in star power. Since Gennadiy Golovkin and Jermall Charlo moved on from active duty, there’s been almost zero interest in the division that once featured the likes of Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Bernard Hopkins.

Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly is ranked at the top of a current crop of middleweights that features Carlos Adames, Erislandy Lara, Chris Eubank Jr., and Hamzah Sheeraz among its top performers. In his last bout, the boxer-puncher beat relatively unknown and lightly-regarded IBF titlist Vincenzo Gualtieri to become a unified champ. But the 31-year-old’s career growth remains stunted by a lack of qualified, marketable opposition.

He won’t be solving that problem this Saturday on ESPN+, live from the  Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas when he defends his two belts against the unknown and completely untested Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs).

The 26-year-old Mikhailovich is a native of Russia, but lives and fights out of New Zealand. Sporting a light resume with no world class names on it, he’ll be competing for the first time in the United States and, actually, the first time outside of his New Zealand/Australia home base.

[UPDATE: Janibek Alimkhanuly fainted Thursday night while cutting weight and this bout has been cancelled. Raymond Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) vs Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs) has been elevated to main event status].

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Andrei Mikhailovich: The Breakdown

Alimkhanuly is a classy talent with a refined skill set, who has seemingly been putting more effort into his power game in recent fights. The Kazakh, who reportedly had a prestigious 300-8 record as an amateur, has scored eight victories inside the distance in his last nine fights.

Sporting a quick jab from the southpaw stance, he also has an electric follow-up left hand. He usually works relatively up close, using his hand speed, accuracy, and activity to keep opposition from launching any sort of sustained offensive surge.

Mikhailovich is tough and willing, but lacking in refined skill and in world class experience. He works the body well and will use a clubbing right hand as his primary offensive weapon, but his arsenal is limited. His lack of foot speed also means that he will have to sit in the pocket with the defending champ and exchange shots– a tough situation to be in, considering he’s facing someone with far superior hand speed and accuracy.

Prediction

Barring something wildly freaky happening, Alimkhanuly should pound on Mikhailovich, pretty much at will, and close the show inside the distance. How long the Russian lasts will depend on his ability to withstand the punishment he’ll be receiving. There is almost no path to victory for Mikhailovich, aside from a wild shot that just happens to land at the right time and in the right spot. Expect Alimkhanuly to end things somewhere around rounds 5 or 6.

Highlighted Co-Features

• Raymond Muratalla vs. Tevin Farmer (lightweight)
• Ruben Villa vs. Sulaiman Segawa (featherweight)
• Jonathan Lopez vs. Leonardo Padilla (super featherweight)

Start Time and How to Watch

Saturday, July 13 , 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on ESPN+

• In the U.K.: Sky Sports
• In Canada: TSN+
• In Australia: Kayo