Zhanibek Alimkhanuly knocks out Andrei Mikhailovich in nine

ZHANIBEK Alimkhanuly retained his IBF middleweight title and protected his status as the number one fighter at 160 with a ninth-round knockout over Andrei Mikhailovich. Headlining in The Star venue in Sydney, Australia, the Kazakh king was made to work hard by a persistent opponent.

The winner was ruffled at times but never gave up ring control and eventually dismissed Mikhailovich at 2-45 of round nine. Alimkhanuly was ahead by scores of 80-71 on two cards and 78-73 on the third when it was belatedly called off.

After a feeling out opening round, Mikhailovich did well to last the second. Dropped eventually at the close of the round, the underdog was hurt multiple times by sharp southpaw jabs, uppercuts and straight shots. Perhaps a more tetchy ref might’ve stopped it but Japan’s Katsuhiko Nakamura sent both men back to their corners, allowing the maul to continue. 

Mikhailovich closed the distance in round three, helping him to avoid a repeat of the second round shelling. Standing off at range was a bad place to be for the New Zealander who was still pitching midway through the sixth, but at what cost for his long-term health as he ate another hard hook.

Zhanibek’s left uppercut was landing repeatedly as Mikhailovich’s nose and mouth seeped blood. Finally, as the challenger’s lips swelled up, he shipped a thudding left hand in round nine that rocked back Mikhailovich’s head. Exhausted and spent, Andrei collapsed to the canvas, prompting the referee to jump in and wave it off. The Russian-born boxer suffered his first professional loss, falling to 21-1 (13 KOs).

“Let’s keep in mind I haven’t been fighting in the ring for a year. It was a good experience to come back and shake off the rust,” said Alimkhanuly, improving to 16-0 (11 KOs).

“He’s [Andrei Mikhailovich] a good boxer, he has a very good chin, nice people and I want to wish him luck.

“I do have two titles and two titles are missing. Any of them, Adames and Lara, I’m ready for them anytime. Send me the paper and I’ll sign it anytime.”