Alimkhanuly vs Thompson reportedly eyed for spring in Kazakhstan

Unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly is reportedly looking to fight undefeated Shakiel Thompson in Kazakhstan this spring

Those eager to see unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly test himself will have to wait a while longer, as Dan Rafael reports that “Qazaq Style” is targeting an “April/May” homecoming against Shakiel Thompson.

Thompson (13-0, 9 KO), ranked no. 8 with the WBO, has yet to graduate past the British domestic scene after six years in the game. His biggest win to date came last September over River Wilson-Bent, whose greatest feats were going 0-1-1 with Tyler Denny and lasting eight rounds against “Ammo” Williams.

Though I understand the appeal of feeding Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO) a weak opponent for his first fight on Kazakh soil since 2017, the timing makes this a downright bizarre choice. One would think he’d target the winner of Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz next month, potentially courting Saudi backing in the process. If he insists on taking a fight in the interim, why not get his mandatory rematch with Denzel Bentley out of the way?

Ah, well. At least it’ll make the hometown fans happy.