Middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly is ready to bring his patented “Qazaq Style” to Las Vegas. Former amateur standout Alimkhanuly (9-0, 5 KOs) will step up against former middleweight world champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (26-2, 18 KOs) in a 10-round showdown on June 26 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Brant-Alimkhanuly will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round lightweight main event between former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko and Japanese contender Masayoshi Nakatani.
Lomachenko-Nakatani and Brant-Alimkhanuly will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ (not ESPN).
“This is a fantastic doubleheader featuring a living legend in Lomachenko and a pair of middleweights who are closing in on a world title opportunity,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Janibek is relatively young in the pro ranks, but he has long wanted to fight the best available opposition. Rob Brant didn’t hesitate when offered this fight.”
Does Loma have the hunger for a rematch against Lopez? If so, does Loma have the hunger to open his offense during rounds 1-6 against a larger, heavier punching Lopez?
With Teo’s mentality these days I doubt he’d ever grant Loma a rematch.
Loma shouldn’t be going from P4P top 3 to fighting at this level. Nakatani is tough and a decent opponent, but Loma should have had a rematch with Lopez in his contract for an instant title shot – did he? He’s 33 so the clock is ticking. If he wants legacy, this isn’t the type of fight to cement it, he’s a gun but his record of opponents isn’t amazing and he’s dropped a decision in 2 of the biggest fights. Get a move on
Just because Janibek Alimkhanuly is a Russian fighter, does not mean he is the guaranteed winner here. Rob Brant, though the underdog, should be able to pull off the upset in a UNAM dec win.
Rob Brant looked great against Murata…the first time. I don’t know anything about Janibek- hope it’s a good matchup as a appetizer for Loma/nakatani