Battle for Unified Glory: Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Andrei Mikhailovich Headlines Vegas Showdown
Press Conference Notes: Middleweight King Janibek Alimkhanuly Set to Defend His Crown
Janibek-Andrei Mikhailovich & Raymond Muratalla-Tevin Farmer lightweight co-feature headline a stacked bill from Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas
Coverage begins LIVE on ESPN+ at 6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT
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LAS VEGAS (July 11, 2024) — Kazakhstan’s middleweight king is ready to defend his throne against an unbeaten challenger determined to seize the unified crown.
Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly will put his WBO and IBF world titles on the line against New Zealand’s Andrei Mikhailovich on Saturday, July 13, at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Raymond Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) will face former world champion Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs).
Janibek-Mikhailovich and Muratalla-Farmer top a loaded bill that will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Despite holding two major world titles, Janibek (15-0, 10 KOs) is one of boxing's most avoided champions. The 2016 Olympian has knocked out eight of his last nine foes, including a sixth-round drubbing of Vincenzo Gualtieri last October to unify the WBO and IBF titles.
Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) hopes his Cinderella story culminates with a pair of world titles in the world's boxing capital. Adopted by a New Zealand couple from a Russian orphanage at 18 months, Mikhailovich overcame substance abuse issues as a teenager and didn't pick up a pair of gloves until he was 15 years old. He turned pro five years later and captured a pair of regional titles in 2022 with a third-round stoppage over Ernesto España. Mikhailovich defended those titles last year with an epic fifth-round stoppage over the previously unbeaten Edisson Saltarin, where he survived a first-round knockdown.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday's press conference.
Janibek Alimhkanuly
“The reason I’m here is to fight for all four titles. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to defend one title or two titles. I’m looking to get and defend all four titles.”
“I have to be critical of Erislandy Lara and Carlos Adames because they are champions and they do not want to fight other champions. I think that a real champion fights other champions. However, I think in the future, they will be sitting here as well.”
“I want to thank him for taking this fight. None of the other champions agreed to fight me. But he did step up. Of course, he is undefeated. He is young. He is very hungry. And he’s bringing everything on Saturday night.”
“Everything went well in my preparation in California. We had four or five different sparring partners. Everything went smoothly. And I’ll show you all on Saturday.”
Andrei Mikhailovich
“I come from Russia. I was adopted there. Me and my twin came from an orphanage. The Soviet Union collapsed and there was a lot of disparity and economic issues and kids had to be given up. And unfortunately, I was given up. But, I didn’t give up on myself, and I fought the fight of life.”
“Everyone tells me that this is a huge fight and asks me how I’m going to handle the pressure of fighting in Las Vegas for the unified WBO and IBF middleweight championship. But the fight of life is a lot tougher than this. This is just another day in paradise for me. This is what I love to do.”
Raymond Muratalla
“Come Saturday night, I’ve got to make a statement so I can get these title shots that I want. I’m ready for it. I’ve been putting in the work. And I can’t wait to show you all on Saturday.”
“I’m ready for a title shot. He’s a good fighter. But I just think I’m on another level now. It’s going to show Saturday night.”
"I can’t count how many new sparring partners I’ve had. And they’re all southpaws. So, I’m fully prepared for this fight. There were too many guys to count. Different styles. Different height and weight. Big guys, small guys, and fast guys. So, whatever he brings, I’ll be ready for it.”
Tevin Farmer
“I’m excited. A lot of people might judge me based on my last {big} fight, when I fought Joseph Diaz Jr. There were a lot of medical issues, but we got it straightened out. I worked my butt off from 2020 until now. I had to take a couple of fights at a lower level to get back to where I needed to be. I understand the process. It’s not always easy. So, I’m coming to dominate.”
“There’s levels to this. There are steps he should have taken. For him to take such a big step is brave of him. He’s really brave. Maybe his team sees flaws in me that they think they can handle. I thank them for taking this fight. But I don’t know if I would have taken the fight if I were him.”
Ruben Villa
“I’m excited. I’m ready. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I’m where I want to be. I’m knocking on the door of a world title shot. Every performance matters now, so on Saturday night, I plan on doing my best, dominating, and looking good.”
“There’s Venado {Lopez}. I fought him and beat him already. I would like to fight him again. That was a fun fight. We’ve both gotten better since. I’d also fight Rey Vargas, who is the WBC champ. I want a world title shot.”
Saturday, July 13
FIRST BELL: LIVE on ESPN+ (6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT)
