WBO middleweight champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (12-0, 8 KOs) and Denzel Bentley (17-1-1, 14 KOs) faced off Thursday in advance of their ESPN+ streamed world title showdown on Saturday at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Janibek Alimkhanuly: “I don’t know why nowadays champions don’t want to fight with the other champions. I don’t think they should be afraid. I am here. I am a champion now. I am here to fight the champions. Hopefully, Top Rank can organize a fight with another world champion next.”
Denzel Bentley: This is what every fighter dreams of. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to be here in Vegas and fight for the WBO world championship against the champion himself. You’re going to see something special.”
In The co-feature, WBA female minimumweight champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) defends against Jazmin Gala Villarino (6-1-2, 1 KO). Also, lightweight Emiliano Vargas (1-0, 1 KO), the youngest fighting son of Fernando Vargas, will make his Top Rank debut.
This is one of the worst cards ever.
A champion with only twelve fights? Titles sure have been deluded in this day and age.
I like Alimkhanuly but it would have been nice if he at least acknowledged his opponent and the current fight in his statement! LOL!!!
It is not the rarity it used to be because some fighters with extensive amateur backgrounds and experience can move through the pro ranks a lot quicker. In Alimkhanuly’s case, the low number of fights makes sense, but many fighters are rushed into big fights ahead of their natural timeline.