Update: WBO/IBF middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s title defense against Andrei Mikhailovich at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas after being hospitalized Thursday evening due to dehydration. The 10-round lightweight showdown between undefeated contender Raymond Muratalla and former world champion Tevin Farmer has been elevated to the main event.
Muratalla-Farmer and the rest of the undercard will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT.
Janibek—Mikhailovich is a fight that arguably would be better suited for the co-feature than the headliner because it’s not one that will catch the fans’ imaginations.
It’s understandable why it’s in the top spot. Top Rank wants to turn Janibek into a star, but it’s difficult when his opponents aren’t household names. Bob Arum has his work cut out for him trying to make a name for Janibek without one of the brave, ambitious, popular guys stepping up to face him.
The problem of the 31-year-old Kazakh Janibek is that no one wants to fight him. No well-known guys like Chris Eubank Jr. and Jermall Charlo are interested in facing the hard-hitting southpaw Janibek.
Moreover, Terence Crawford has no plans to move up to 160 to face Janibek for his IBF/WBO titles after his match next month against Israil Madrimov.
He will skip the 160-lb division because the powerful southpaw Alimkhanuly would be hard work for him and not someone he could confuse by turning Southpaw frequently.
Muratalla vs. Farmer: An Interesting Co-Main Event
The ten-round chief support fight between #2 WBC & #2 WBO lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) takes on former IBF 130-lb champion Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs) in a fight that should be interesting to watch.
Farmer has a slick style that will make the sharpshooter Muratalla to have to work to land his shots. However, it’s unclear how much Farmer has left.
After losing his IBF super featherweight title to Joseph Diaz in 2020, he was out of the sport for three years. Last year, Farmer resumed his career and beat three random fighters.
Farmer turns 34 on July 30th, and that’s not young for a finesse fighter with no power going up against a young puncher like Muratalla. It might not end well for Farmer if he can’t keep Muratalla off him.
Muratalla’s Ambitions
“I’m ready for the lightweight champions, but I can’t take Tevin Farmer lightly. He is a former world champion who wants another shot,” Muratalla said.
fight card
- Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Andrei Mikhailovich; For Alimkhanuly’s IBF and WBO middleweight titles
- Raymond Muratalla vs. Tevin Farmer; Lightweight
- Ruben Villa vs. Sulaiman Segawa; Featherweight
- Jonthan Lopez vs. Leonardo Padilla; Super featherweight
- Charlie Sheehy vs. Ricardo Quiroz; Super lightweight
- Javier Zamarron vs. Michael Bracamontes; Featherweight
- Art Barrera Jr. vs. Javier Mayoral; Welterweight
- Israel Mercado vs. Dondrell Haynes; Super lightweight
- Albert Gonzalez vs. Conrado S. Martinez; Super featherweight
start time
- Date: Saturday, July 13
- Time: 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. UK (Sunday)
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. UK (Sunday)
- U.S.: Live on ESPN+
- UK: Sky Sports
Weights:
Raymond Muratalla 134.1 lbs vs. Tevin Farmer 134.7 lbs
(NABF & NABO Lightweight Titles— 10 Rounds)
• Ruben Villa 125.5 lbs vs. Sulaiman Segawa 122.6 lbs
(Villa’s WBC Silver Featherweight Title — 10 Rounds)
• Charlie Sheehy 139.9 lbs vs. Ricardo Quiroz 139.8 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)
• Art Barrera Jr. 145.4 lbs vs. Javier Mayoral 145.7 lbs
(Welterweight — 6 Rounds)
• Jonathan Lopez 130.9 lbs vs. Leonardo Padilla 131.8 lbs
(Junior Lightweight — 8 Rounds)
• Albert Gonzalez 128.8 lbs vs. Conrado Martinez 128.1 lbs
(Junior Lightweight — 6 Rounds)
• Israel Mercado 140.2 lbs vs. Dondrell Haynes 139 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)
• Javier Zamarron 126.9 lbs vs. Mikey Bracamontes 127.8 lbs
(Junior Lightweight — 6 Rounds)
