Unbeaten middleweight Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (10-0, 6 KOs) scored a one-sided eight round TKO over former WBA middleweight champion Robert Brant (26-3, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. Alimkhanuly scored a knockdown in round six and never let Brant in the fight. Brant’s corner finally stopped it at the end of round eight. Scores were 80-71 on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.
“Tonight, I showed the world what ‘Qazaq Style’ is about,” said Alimkhanuly. “Rob Brant is a former world champion for a reason, but I came here to showcase my full arsenal, and that’s what I did.
“I am highly ranked, and I have the confidence to fight any middleweight in the world. I had a great training camp with Buddy McGirt, and this was the result of all the hard work we did in camp. Ever since I turned pro, I wanted a big fight like this. Whenever a title shot comes, I’ll be ready.”
In other action, unbeaten welterweight Giovani Santillan (27-0, 15 KOs) scored a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over Cecil McCalla (23-5, 10 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 78-74, 79-73.
Bantamweight Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-6, 3 KOs) upset previously unbeaten Robert “Biggie” Rodriguez (9-1-1, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision. Biggie looked flat as Saavedra took a 59-55, 60-64, 60-54 nod over six rounds.
Bantamweight Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz (2-0, 0 KOs) outpointed Jaime Jasso (2-1, 0 KOs) over four 40-36 3x.
Heavyweight Guido Vianello (8-0-1, 8 KOs) scored a first round TKO over Marlon Williams (6-2, 3 KOs). Vianello dropped Williams three times in round one and the bout was stopped after the round.
Pro debuting super bantamweight Subaru Murata stopped Keven Monroy (1-1, 1 KO) in round two. Murata dropped Monroy in round two and referee Russell Mora waved not off. Time was 1:42. Monroy didn’t like the stoppage.
Lightweight DeMichael Harris (4-0, 4 KOs) was victorious when Jonatan Hernan Godoy (5-9, 0 KOs)) didn’t come out for round four. Godoy down three times in the bout.
Alimkhanuly looked good again tonight. Completely neutralized Brant, and pretty much won every minute of every round. Showed fast hands, accurate punching, and pretty good power. His offense reminds me of early Pacquiao, before Manny developed that right hook. Alimkhanuly threw almost exclusively the jab and straight left tonight, but it was more than enough. I haven’t seen his chin tested yet, but assuming he can take a punch, he’s going to be a problem for any Middleweight out there.