By Adam Baskin: WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly will look to keep his knockout streak alive this Saturay night when he faces #9 ranked contender Denzel Bentley in the headliner on November 12th on ESPN+ at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Janibek, 29, and Bentley met today for their final press conference ahead of Saturday’s contest. You could tell from the body language of Bently that he knows what is in store for him in facing the Kazakh Alimkhanuly, and looked nervous and less than confident.
Given the little-known opponent that Top Rank has picked out for the 2016 Olympian Janibek (12-0, 8 KOs) to defend against in 27-year-old British fighter Bentley, it’s not surprising that almost no one is talking about this fight.
It’s possible that this was the best they could fight because Janibek is too dangerous for the popular fighters in the 160-lb division to face. They’re not going to stick their necks out by taking on Janibek and becoming his seventh consecutive knockout victim.
Janibek – Bentley undercard
- Seniesa Estrada vs. Jazmin Gala Villarino
- Raymond Muratalla vs. Miguel Contreras
- Emiliano Vargas vs. Julio Martinez
- Javier Martinez vs. Marco Delgado
- Floyd Diaz vs. Edgar Joe Cortes
- Charlie Sheehy vs. Markus Bowes
- Karlos Balderas vs. Esteban Sanchez
- Antonio Mireles vs. Eric Perry
Janibek has looked sensational lately, recently stopping Danny Dignum, Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, Rob Brant, and Gonzalo Coria. Those aren’t big names, unfortunately.
Janibek had hoped to challenge Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade, the former WBO 160-lb champion, but he vacated and move up to 168 recently. The World Boxing Organization then elevated Janibek from interim to full WBO middleweight champion status.
“When I came to America, it was already in our plans to bring a good team around us. Because of this team, I am a champion now,” said Janibek
“I don’t know why nowadays champions don’t want to fight with the other champions. I don’t think they should be afraid. I am here. I am a champion now. I am here to fight the champions. Hopefully, Top Rank can organize a fight with another world champion next,” said Janibek.
Bentley suffered his only loss to Felix Cash by a third round knockout defeat in 2021. The rest of the opposition that Bentley has faced have been domestic-level opposition of various quality.
“He’s meant to say that. He wants to keep his KO streak, and so do I. We’re in for a good fight Saturday,” said Bentley in reacting to Janibek saying he’s going to knock him out.
