James “Buddy” McGirt, the coach of Kazakhstan’s WBO world middleweight champion (up to 72.6 kg) Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs), is sure that the last fight against British challenger Denzel Bentley will benefit his ward, despite the fact that Zhanibek failed to show his best side.
Recall that on November 13 in Las Vegas (USA), Alimkhanuly defended his title for the first time, outboxing Bentley on points by unanimous decision.
“We needed a fight where we could make some adjustments against a guy who isn’t going anywhere. I told Zhanibek that this guy has nothing to lose, but he can get everything at once. And these are the worst rivals in the world, ”said the coach.
McGirt also does not hide the hope that now potential rivals will be more willing to agree to a fight with Alimkhanuly:
“Hopefully people will say, ‘Now I’m going to fight him.’ But they just don’t understand that when they go out to fight Zhanibek, he will be at his best.”
The day before, the WBO officially appointed the fight between Alimkhanuly and Mungia, and the Kazakhstani himself refused the “half-champion”.