Tag: Janibek Alimkhanuly

Fight Week: It’s old-timers week, starring Mayweather, Hatton, Barrera

Fight Week: Floyd Mayweather, Hatton-Barrera exhibitions; Sunny Edwards and Alimkhanuly title defenses.

FIGHT WEEK

Floyd Mayweather will return for another exhibition, as will Ricky Hatton and Marco Antonio Barrera against one another. In real fights, Sunny Edwards will face Felix Alvarado, and Janibek Alimkhanuly will take on Denzel Bentley.

SUNNY EDWARDS (18-0, 4 KOs) VS. FELIX ALVARADO (38-2, 33 KOs)

  • When: Friday, Nov. 11
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Flyweights (112 pounds)
  • At stake: Edwards’ IBF title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Edwards 5-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Thomas Essomba vs. Marcel Braithwaite, junior bantamweights; Jack Bateson vs. Shabaz Masoud, junior featherweights.
  • Prediction: Edwards UD
  • Background: Edwards is closing in on showdowns with the top little men in the world – stars like Julio Cesar Martinez and Bam Rodriguez – but he must get past the capable Alvarado first. The 26-year-old Londoner, a superb boxer, won his belt by defeating two-time champion Moruti Mthalane in April of last year. He then successfully defended against Jayson Mama and Muhammad Waseem, winning both fights by wide decisions. Alvarado, a 33-year-old Nicaraguan, held a 108-pound title from 2018 until he gave it up this year and moved up to 112. He made his flyweight debut in May, when he stopped Luis Cerrito Hernandez in four rounds. He hasn’t lost since back-to-back setbacks in 2013 and 2014, after which he has won 20 consecutive fights.

 

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY (12-0, 8 KOs) VS. DENZEL BENTLEY (17-1-1, 14 KOs)­

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweights (160 pounds)
  • At stake: Alimkhanuly’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Alimkhanuly 20-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Seniesa Estrada vs. Jazmin Gala Villarino, strawweights (for Estrada’s WBA title)
  • Prediction: Alimkhanuly KO 10
  • Background: Alimkhanuly, 29, is a talented 2013 amateur world champion and 2016 Olympian from Kazakhstan who has been fast tracked as a pro. The Southern California-based southpaw won the WBO’s “interim” title in his last fight, a second-round knockout of previously unbeaten Danny Dignum in May. He was upgraded to full champion in August. He also stopped veterans Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam last year, which set up the fight with Dignum. Bentley is a 27-year-old boxer-puncher from London. He was stopped in three rounds by fellow 160-pound contender Felix Cash in April of last year but he bounced back to win three in a row, including a fourth-round knockout of Marcus Morrison in September, to earn a shot at Alimkhanuly’s title. Also on the card, Seniesa Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles is scheduled to defend her strawweight title against Jazim Gala Villarino (6-1-2, 1 KO) of Argentina.

 

RICKY HATTON VS. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: NOW (Sky Sports in U.K.)
  • Format: Exhibition
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Marie Eve Dicaire, junior middleweights (for Jonas’ IBF, WBC and WBO titles); Dalton Smith vs. Kaisee Benjamin, junior welterweight; Tyler Denny vs. Bradley Rea, middleweights
  • Background: Barrera and Hatton are climbing onto the exhibition wagon. Barrera, 48, hasn’t fought since 2011, when the Hall of Famer from Mexico stopped journeyman Jose Arias in two rounds in Guadalajara. Hatton, 44, was last in the ring in 2012, when the former 140-pound titleholder was stopped by contender Vyacheslav Senchenko in nine rounds. The Mancunian will face Barrera in the same arena in which he delivered his greatest performance, an 11th-round knockout of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu that gave him his first major belt. Fans expecting a war between the one-time action fighters will be disappointed. Hatton said this is about fun. He told Sky Sports: “It’s a celebration.”

 

FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. DEJI OLANTUNJI

  • When: Sunday, Nov. 13
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • TV/Stream: Pay-Per-View
  • Format: Exhibition
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Delfine Persoon vs. Ikram Kerwat, junior lightweights; Tommy Fury vs. Paul Bamba, light heavyweights
  • Background: He’s back already. Mayweather stopped mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura on Sept. 25 in Japan, his third exhibition since he last took part in a sanctioned bout in 2017. He returns Sunday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he’ll face British YouTuber-turned-boxer Deji. The brother of KSI has taken part in one exhibition, a knockout victory over fellow YouTuber Fousey in August. That makes him Mayweather’s second raw amateur opponent. He “fought” Logan Paul in June of last year. The Hall Famer also faced Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018 and former sparring partner Don Moore this past May. His last sanctioned bout was in 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

SATURDAY

  • Montana Love vs. Stevie Spark, junior welterweights, Cleveland (DAZN).

[lawrence-related id=33600,33048,32982]

Fight Week: It’s old-timers week, starring Mayweather, Hatton, Barrera

Fight Week: Floyd Mayweather, Hatton-Barrera exhibitions; Sunny Edwards and Alimkhanuly title defenses.

FIGHT WEEK

Floyd Mayweather will return for another exhibition, as will Ricky Hatton and Marco Antonio Barrera against one another. In real fights, Sunny Edwards will face Felix Alvarado, and Janibek Alimkhanuly will take on Denzel Bentley.

SUNNY EDWARDS (18-0, 4 KOs) VS. FELIX ALVARADO (38-2, 33 KOs)

  • When: Friday, Nov. 11
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Flyweights (112 pounds)
  • At stake: Edwards’ IBF title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Edwards 5-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Thomas Essomba vs. Marcel Braithwaite, junior bantamweights; Jack Bateson vs. Shabaz Masoud, junior featherweights.
  • Prediction: Edwards UD
  • Background: Edwards is closing in on showdowns with the top little men in the world – stars like Julio Cesar Martinez and Bam Rodriguez – but he must get past the capable Alvarado first. The 26-year-old Londoner, a superb boxer, won his belt by defeating two-time champion Moruti Mthalane in April of last year. He then successfully defended against Jayson Mama and Muhammad Waseem, winning both fights by wide decisions. Alvarado, a 33-year-old Nicaraguan, held a 108-pound title from 2018 until he gave it up this year and moved up to 112. He made his flyweight debut in May, when he stopped Luis Cerrito Hernandez in four rounds. He hasn’t lost since back-to-back setbacks in 2013 and 2014, after which he has won 20 consecutive fights.

 

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY (12-0, 8 KOs) VS. DENZEL BENTLEY (17-1-1, 14 KOs)­

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Middleweights (160 pounds)
  • At stake: Alimkhanuly’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Alimkhanuly 20-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Seniesa Estrada vs. Jazmin Gala Villarino, strawweights (for Estrada’s WBA title)
  • Prediction: Alimkhanuly KO 10
  • Background: Alimkhanuly, 29, is a talented 2013 amateur world champion and 2016 Olympian from Kazakhstan who has been fast tracked as a pro. The Southern California-based southpaw won the WBO’s “interim” title in his last fight, a second-round knockout of previously unbeaten Danny Dignum in May. He was upgraded to full champion in August. He also stopped veterans Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam last year, which set up the fight with Dignum. Bentley is a 27-year-old boxer-puncher from London. He was stopped in three rounds by fellow 160-pound contender Felix Cash in April of last year but he bounced back to win three in a row, including a fourth-round knockout of Marcus Morrison in September, to earn a shot at Alimkhanuly’s title. Also on the card, Seniesa Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles is scheduled to defend her strawweight title against Jazim Gala Villarino (6-1-2, 1 KO) of Argentina.

 

RICKY HATTON VS. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: NOW (Sky Sports in U.K.)
  • Format: Exhibition
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Natasha Jonas vs. Marie Eve Dicaire, junior middleweights (for Jonas’ IBF, WBC and WBO titles); Dalton Smith vs. Kaisee Benjamin, junior welterweight; Tyler Denny vs. Bradley Rea, middleweights
  • Background: Barrera and Hatton are climbing onto the exhibition wagon. Barrera, 48, hasn’t fought since 2011, when the Hall of Famer from Mexico stopped journeyman Jose Arias in two rounds in Guadalajara. Hatton, 44, was last in the ring in 2012, when the former 140-pound titleholder was stopped by contender Vyacheslav Senchenko in nine rounds. The Mancunian will face Barrera in the same arena in which he delivered his greatest performance, an 11th-round knockout of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu that gave him his first major belt. Fans expecting a war between the one-time action fighters will be disappointed. Hatton said this is about fun. He told Sky Sports: “It’s a celebration.”

 

FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. DEJI OLANTUNJI

  • When: Sunday, Nov. 13
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • TV/Stream: Pay-Per-View
  • Format: Exhibition
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Delfine Persoon vs. Ikram Kerwat, junior lightweights; Tommy Fury vs. Paul Bamba, light heavyweights
  • Background: He’s back already. Mayweather stopped mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura on Sept. 25 in Japan, his third exhibition since he last took part in a sanctioned bout in 2017. He returns Sunday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he’ll face British YouTuber-turned-boxer Deji. The brother of KSI has taken part in one exhibition, a knockout victory over fellow YouTuber Fousey in August. That makes him Mayweather’s second raw amateur opponent. He “fought” Logan Paul in June of last year. The Hall Famer also faced Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018 and former sparring partner Don Moore this past May. His last sanctioned bout was in 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

SATURDAY

  • Montana Love vs. Stevie Spark, junior welterweights, Cleveland (DAZN).

[lawrence-related id=33600,33048,32982]

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after his sensational knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DAZN.com.

There’s some decisions for Jaime Munguia to make.

On Saturday evening, Jaime Munguia continued his winning ways, plowing through D’Mitrius Ballard to win by third-round TKO from Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. The win runs Munguia’s record to 5-0 since going up to middleweight at the beginning of 2020 and 39-0 overall, with 31 of those wins by way of knockout.

With Ballard in his rearview mirror, Munguia has plenty of options for his next fight. He’s the No. 1 contender by the WBC and the WBO. So is that route the 25-year-old will take, or does Munguia choose to look elsewhere?

DAZN News examines who could be next in line for the Mexican star.

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

While the calls have been made for Munguia to face a top-flight name, this is the most likely scenario for him. In talking with DAZN News before the Ballard fight, Munguia said he wants to fight for a world title in late spring or early summer.

“I’m definitely aiming for a world title fight later this year, hopefully in the summer. Early May is my goal,” Munguia said.

Current WBO titlist Demetrius Andrade has been rumored to be moving up to super middleweight against Zach Parker, which leaves the 160-pound belt up for grabs.

Munguia and Alimkhanuly are the top contenders, so they would meet to determine a new champion. It gives Munguia the title opportunity he’s looking for, and it’s a legitimate fight. Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO win over former champion Hassan N’Dam.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

If Andrade ends up not moving up in weight, this is the path Munguia should take.

Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) quieted the naysayers when he steamrolled past Jason Quigley in November to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Like Munguia, Andrade’s been targeted for not facing top-flight competition. But that isn’t his doing as “Boo Boo” has continuously had the door slammed in his face by Jermall Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Canelo Alvarez.

The Mexican star’s performances have shown it’s time for the kid gloves to be taken off and let him start swimming with the sharks. Andrade is the perfect guy for the job as he’s champing at the bit for a significant name, and Munguia is that foe.

GENNADIY GOLOVKIN

There were talks of this fight happening in 2018, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Munguia as an opponent due to what they felt was his lack of experience. So much has changed in the last three years for both guys. But now, it’s something that has entered Munguia’s conscience, and it’s one he desperately wants.

“If it was my choice, I would really like to fight Gennadiy Golovkin or the winner of Golovkin vs. [Ryoto] Murata,”

Before talks could even be broached, Golovkin, the IBF titlist, will face WBA titleholder Ryota Murata. It is unknown when that fight will take place. If Triple-G takes care of business and holds two pieces of 160-pound hardware, who wouldn’t want to see a clash between the two hardest punchers in the division?

Of course, the fight the fans want is Canelo-Golovkin III. But if that can’t get made, why not Golovkin-Munguia?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

What’s next for Jaime Munguia after his sensational knockout of D’Mitrius Ballard?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DAZN.com.

There’s some decisions for Jaime Munguia to make.

On Saturday evening, Jaime Munguia continued his winning ways, plowing through D’Mitrius Ballard to win by third-round TKO from Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. The win runs Munguia’s record to 5-0 since going up to middleweight at the beginning of 2020 and 39-0 overall, with 31 of those wins by way of knockout.

With Ballard in his rearview mirror, Munguia has plenty of options for his next fight. He’s the No. 1 contender by the WBC and the WBO. So is that route the 25-year-old will take, or does Munguia choose to look elsewhere?

DAZN News examines who could be next in line for the Mexican star.

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY

While the calls have been made for Munguia to face a top-flight name, this is the most likely scenario for him. In talking with DAZN News before the Ballard fight, Munguia said he wants to fight for a world title in late spring or early summer.

“I’m definitely aiming for a world title fight later this year, hopefully in the summer. Early May is my goal,” Munguia said.

Current WBO titlist Demetrius Andrade has been rumored to be moving up to super middleweight against Zach Parker, which leaves the 160-pound belt up for grabs.

Munguia and Alimkhanuly are the top contenders, so they would meet to determine a new champion. It gives Munguia the title opportunity he’s looking for, and it’s a legitimate fight. Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO win over former champion Hassan N’Dam.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

If Andrade ends up not moving up in weight, this is the path Munguia should take.

Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) quieted the naysayers when he steamrolled past Jason Quigley in November to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Like Munguia, Andrade’s been targeted for not facing top-flight competition. But that isn’t his doing as “Boo Boo” has continuously had the door slammed in his face by Jermall Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Canelo Alvarez.

The Mexican star’s performances have shown it’s time for the kid gloves to be taken off and let him start swimming with the sharks. Andrade is the perfect guy for the job as he’s champing at the bit for a significant name, and Munguia is that foe.

GENNADIY GOLOVKIN

There were talks of this fight happening in 2018, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Munguia as an opponent due to what they felt was his lack of experience. So much has changed in the last three years for both guys. But now, it’s something that has entered Munguia’s conscience, and it’s one he desperately wants.

“If it was my choice, I would really like to fight Gennadiy Golovkin or the winner of Golovkin vs. [Ryoto] Murata,”

Before talks could even be broached, Golovkin, the IBF titlist, will face WBA titleholder Ryota Murata. It is unknown when that fight will take place. If Triple-G takes care of business and holds two pieces of 160-pound hardware, who wouldn’t want to see a clash between the two hardest punchers in the division?

Of course, the fight the fans want is Canelo-Golovkin III. But if that can’t get made, why not Golovkin-Munguia?

Emanuel Navarrete, Ruben Villa make weight for title fight

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa made weight for their featherweight title fight Friday in Las Vegas.

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa made weight for their featherweight title fight Friday inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas.

Navarrete weighed 126.2 pounds on his first try — . 2 over the limit — but registered exactly 126 after stripping down. Villa weighed 125 the first time he stepped onto the scale.

They are fighting for the vacant WBO title.

The big-punching Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder. This will be the Mexican’s second fight as a full-fledged featherweight.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) will be fighting for a major title for the first time. He’s from Salinas, Calif.

The main event and a middleweight bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Gonzalo Coria will be televised on ESPN. The remainder of the card will be streamed on ESPN+.

Emanuel Navarrete (left) made weight on his second try for his title fight against Ruben Villa. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Here are the weights for the other fights on the card:

  • Janibek Alimkhanuly (159.6) vs. Gonzalo Coria (158.6), middleweights.
  • Elvis Rodriguez (141.5) vs. Cameron Krael (141.2), junior welterweights.
  • Lorenzo Simpson (156) vs. Sonny Duversonne (154.8), middleweights.
  • Bryan Lua (131.6) vs. Nelson Colon (131.6), lightweights.
  • Rashiem Jefferson (123.8) vs. Steven Garagarza (123.5), junior featherweights.
  • Kahshad Elliott (152.8) vs. Akeem Jackson (151.5), junior middleweights.

[lawrence-related id=14475,14418,13443]

Emanuel Navarrete, Ruben Villa make weight for title fight

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa made weight for their featherweight title fight Friday in Las Vegas.

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa made weight for their featherweight title fight Friday inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas.

Navarrete weighed 126.2 pounds on his first try — . 2 over the limit — but registered exactly 126 after stripping down. Villa weighed 125 the first time he stepped onto the scale.

They are fighting for the vacant WBO title.

The big-punching Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder. This will be the Mexican’s second fight as a full-fledged featherweight.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) will be fighting for a major title for the first time. He’s from Salinas, Calif.

The main event and a middleweight bout between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Gonzalo Coria will be televised on ESPN. The remainder of the card will be streamed on ESPN+.

Emanuel Navarrete (left) made weight on his second try for his title fight against Ruben Villa. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Here are the weights for the other fights on the card:

  • Janibek Alimkhanuly (159.6) vs. Gonzalo Coria (158.6), middleweights.
  • Elvis Rodriguez (141.5) vs. Cameron Krael (141.2), junior welterweights.
  • Lorenzo Simpson (156) vs. Sonny Duversonne (154.8), middleweights.
  • Bryan Lua (131.6) vs. Nelson Colon (131.6), lightweights.
  • Rashiem Jefferson (123.8) vs. Steven Garagarza (123.5), junior featherweights.
  • Kahshad Elliott (152.8) vs. Akeem Jackson (151.5), junior middleweights.

[lawrence-related id=14475,14418,13443]