Middleweight “Babay” and WBO belt holder Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) from Kazakhstan did not impress in the debut defense of the belt – he tightly defeated Briton Denzel Bentley over the weekend – but he remained all the same impudent and self-confident in social networks.
“All the other champions have seen or heard that I went 12 rounds —
writes Zhanibek. I hope they won’t avoid me anymore. Previously, they were all afraid of being knocked out. And now they have a hope to lose not by knockout. But I have prepared something for them.”
Interim WBC champion Dominican Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) has already given
good to fight: “I’m ready.”
But Adames’ desire alone is not enough. First, fighters work with competitive promoters (PBC Al Haymon vs Top Rank Bob Arum), perform on various TV platforms (showtime versus ESPN).
And secondly, on 60th WBC Convention in Acapulco (Mexico), Adames was guaranteed a title fight – he will fight with a full-fledged champion of the organization, American Jermall Charlo.
Since both are with Haymon, making such a fight will not be a problem. Unless Charlo gives up the title and moves to the second middleweight – there he has more financially profitable options.
Charlo is one of those who got into the “plan B” for Canelo: it only has 5 names. Earlier there were rumors that Adames would be given another eliminator: a native of Ukraine claims a title fight.