Unfortunately, Janibek Alimkhanuly will not be able to fight in his first boxing match of 2024 as planned. Top Rank has announced that the unified middleweight champion has been hospitalized for dehydration and will not be able to defend his title against Andre Mikhailovich tomorrow.
As a result, Raymond Muratalla’s lightweight bout with Tevin Farmer has been promoted to the main event.
Alimkhanuly, with a record of 15-0, 10 KO, last fought in October when he defeated Vincenzo Gualtieri. This unexpected setback marks his longest break from the ring since 2020. There were talks of a potential grudge match with WBC champion Carlos Adames if Alimkhanuly had successfully defended his title against Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KO). The timing of such a match would have been ideal following Adames’ recent win over Terrell Gausha.
It remains to be seen if Top Rank will reschedule the Mikhailovich fight, which was a voluntary defense.
The card still includes a featherweight bout between Ruben Villa and Sulaiman Segawa, which could set up a future fight with the winner of Luis Alberto Lopez vs Angelo Leo. Additionally, there will be updates on 21-year-old prospect Jonathan “La Roca” Lopez.
