WBO world middleweight champion (up to 72.6 kg) Kazakhstani Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (12-0, 8 KOs) will make his first title defense on November 12 in Las Vegas (USA). Briton Denzel Bentley (17-1-1, 14 KOs) will become his opponent.
This is reported
boxing scene citing their sources.
The Alimkhanuly-Bentley fight will be the main event of the Top Rank show. Note that earlier the headliner of this evening was supposed to be the Mexican ex-world champion in super featherweight Oscar Valdez, but the day before it turned out that due to an injury he was out at least until January 2023.
Recall that Alimkhanuly was the “interim” WBO champion and received a full-fledged title without a fight, after the former belt holder Demetrius Endred moved to the next category.
This year, Zhanibek had one fight, knocking out another Briton Danny Dignam in the 2nd round in May.
Bentley, after suffering his first professional loss (TKO 3) to compatriot Felix Cash in April 2021, picked up three victories, including two in 2022 – a split decision over the previously unbeaten Linus Odofia and a TKO 4 over Marcus Morrison .
Meanwhile, the head of Top Rank, Bob Arum, does not get tired of praising Alimkhanuly.