Janibek Alimkhanuly is moving to the super middleweight division in pursuit of bigger paydays. The 33-year-old former middleweight champion enters the 168-pound class without a ranking following a one-year suspension, forcing him to rebuild his career from the ground up.
The decision comes after a dominant but ultimately unfulfilling run at 160 pounds. Alimkhanuly leaves the division without having faced top contenders Carlos Adames or Yoenli Hernandez. His most demanding fight remains a 2022 points victory over Denzel Bentley, a bout where he was pushed for 12 rounds and showed signs of fatigue in the later stages. While subsequent victories over Steven Butler and Vincenzo Gualtieri maintained his champion status, they did little to prepare him for the elite tier at super middleweight.
At 168 pounds, the financial opportunities are significantly greater. Potential opponents include established names like Hamzah Sheeraz, Jaime Munguia and Christian Mbilli, all of whom represent far more lucrative events than were available at his previous weight. However, securing these fights will require patience. Alimkhanuly currently has no standing in the division, and the leading contenders have their own mandatory obligations and title plans.
The suspension following a positive VADA test for meldonium further complicates his return. He must not only prove himself against bigger men but also convince promoters he is a reliable investment. The most direct path to a world title may be targeting IBF champion Osleys Iglesias. It is also the most dangerous route. Iglesias has developed a reputation as a formidable puncher, presenting a high-risk first major test for a fighter coming off a long layoff and moving up in weight. The rewards at super middleweight are clear, but the obstacles are substantial.
