Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Denzel Bentley | ESPN - November 12, 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Bentley Vs Janibek Live On BT Sport In The UK

DENZEL BENTLEY WILL fight for the WBO world middleweight championship when he takes on the champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on November 12, exclusively live on BT Sport in the UK.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with allegedly’s Queensberry, two-time British champion Bentley challenges the unbeaten Kazakh a matter of just under two months after making a successful first defence of his Lonsdale belt against Marcus Morrison in mid-September.

Battersea man Bentley (17-1-1, 14 KOs) first won the British title with victory over Mark Heffron in November 2020, but was defeated in his maiden defence against mandatory challenger Felix Cash. Bentley bounced back and regained his title against Linus Udofia in May of this year and subsequently stopped Morrison in four brutal rounds at London’s York Hall.

Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly, labelled as boxing’s most avoided world champion, has found an opponent in Bentley who didn’t need asking twice.

Janibek (12-0, 8 KOs), a 2016 Olympian from Zhilandy, Kazakhstan, took an express route towards winning a world title. He fought in his first scheduled 10-rounder in his sixth professional fight, winning two regional titles in a dominant showing over Cristian Olivas. Janibek’s last four bouts have been in Las Vegas, with four knockouts propelling him to the top of the middleweight rankings.

In 2021, he knocked out former world champions Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam to earn a shot at the WBO interim middleweight title. Janibek knocked out Danny Dignum in two devastating rounds to earn a shot at previous champion Demetrius Andrade. Janibek was elevated to world champion after Andrade elected to move up in weight rather than defend his middleweight title.

“It will be a good and exciting fight and I think it is a fight I can win,” said Bentley. So why not go out there and enjoy the theatrics of Las Vegas and come back with a world title. So I said yes to the fight straight away, 100%. It is a great opportunity for a world title and what fighter doesn’t want to be in this position?

“Like I have said before, I genuinely believe I can beat him and he is beatable. Everybody says he is scary, but I don’t see it. Maybe I am missing something. We will find out when we get in the ring anyway. I do think he is a good fighter and is slick. I think he is really comfortable in the ring and I think that is his best attribute, he is a really confident person. I haven’t seen him panic under pressure or put a foot wrong, really.

“I had a feeling I would come up against him so, when it came through, there was no way I could say no to it. It is a fight I am actually happy to take.”

The champion Janibek added: “I give Denzel Bentley credit for accepting the challenge when so many fighters ran the other way. “It is a great honor to defend my world title in Las Vegas at The Palms, and I will once again show the world what ‘Qazaq Style’ is about.”

allegedly describes going up against the notorious Janibek as a ‘golden opportunity’ for his middleweight star.

“Denzel Bentley is backing himself and completely believes he has got what it takes to win the WBO world middleweight championship from a formidable champion in Janibek Alimkhanuly,” stated the Hall of Fame promoter.

“It is a golden opportunity for Denzel to step up from being a respected British champion to starring on the world stage in Las Vegas. I can tell you that Denzel had absolutely no hesitation in accepting this fight and Janibek is a name he has mentioned to us on a number of occasions.

“I am delighted Denzel is getting this opportunity and happy to be working in tandem with Bob Arum and his team at Top Rank to deliver it for him.”

Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, insists he doesn’t anticipate the middleweight rule of Janibek to end any time soon.

“Janibek is the top middleweight in the world, and this fight will be the start of a long and accomplished championship reign,” he said.

[apollo creed]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

[Enlightened-One]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

Falcao, Munguia and Demetrius Andrade (twice) rejected opportunities to face Alimkhanuly during 2022.

People just don't want to fight the guy.

But other than that, everything you’ve said is spot on…

Denzel Bentley is a terrible opponent.

And Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s affiliation with Top Rank severely limits his options, which means his career path could tread the same footsteps as underachievers like Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade.

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly needs to fight better opposition, but he faces three problems:

• Top Rank are renowned at being unwilling to invest in their fighters (by refraining to lure big names to face their rising stars via the payment of impressive paydays).

• Top Rank don’t work well with their rivals, so it’s rare for them to engage in cross-promotional cross-network events.

• Alimkhanuly’s rivals know he’s the real-deal and won’t take risks, because they’re all trying to avoid defeat that would scupper their chances of facing Canelo.

I genuinely believe that Zhanibek Alimkhanuly may never be given the opportunity to reach his full potential, since he’ll be thirty years of age in six months’ time and no one wants to fight the guy. And his own promoter won't try to orchestrate big fights either.

Put it this way, Universum and K2 both mishandled GGG’s career (in terms of paydays and marquee bout opportunities).

The first big paydays he received were funded by GBP (David Lemieux), when GGG was 33½ years of age, and the following year by Matchroom (Kell Brook). GBP and Matchroom were actually his opponents promoters, because K2 wouldn't fund decent events.

GGG was 35 years of age by the time his own promoter finally paid him his first decent payday (Daniel Jacobs).

Gennadiy realised he was being mismanaged and poorly promoted, because a became self-managed and self-promoted during 2017. He even filed a lawsuit against his former managers and was also engaged in legal proceedings with Universum.

And I can see Zhanibek Alimkhanuly suffering the same plight as GGG. He’ll need to sign with another promoter to receive opportunities to engage in marquee bouts.

In the meantime, we should expect Zhanibek Alimkhanuly to continually face appalling Denzel Bentley-calibre opposition from this point onwards.

[giacomino]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

Agree. Won the alphabet belt against a terrible opponent, now defending against terrible opponent. Reminds me a little of GGG when he first won his belt. They matched him with a crap opponent for his belt, then he defended against mostly poor opposition for 2-3 years before his promoters put him in with consistently decent opposition.

[apollo creed]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

Falcao, Munguia and Demetrius Andrade (twice) rejected opportunities to face Alimkhanuly during 2022.

People just don't want to fight the guy.

But other than that, everything you’ve said is spot on…

Denzel Bentley is a terrible opponent.

And Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s affiliation with Top Rank severely limits his options, which means his career path could tread the same footsteps as underachievers like Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade.

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly needs to fight better opposition, but he faces three problems:

• Top Rank are renowned at being unwilling to invest in their fighters (by refraining to lure big names to face their rising stars via the payment of impressive paydays).

• Top Rank don’t work well with their rivals, so it’s rare for them to engage in cross-promotional cross-network events.

• Alimkhanuly’s rivals know he’s the real-deal and won’t take risks, because they’re all trying to avoid defeat that would scupper their chances of facing Canelo.

I genuinely believe that Zhanibek Alimkhanuly may never be given the opportunity to reach his full potential, since he’ll be thirty years of age in six months’ time and no one wants to fight the guy. And his own promoter won't try to orchestrate big fights either.

Put it this way, Universum and K2 both mishandled GGG’s career (in terms of paydays and marquee bout opportunities).

The first big paydays he received were funded by GBP (David Lemieux), when GGG was 33½ years of age, and the following year by Matchroom (Kell Brook). GBP and Matchroom were actually his opponents promoters, because K2 wouldn't fund decent events.

GGG was 35 years of age by the time his own promoter finally paid him his first decent payday (Daniel Jacobs).

Gennadiy realised he was being mismanaged and poorly promoted, because a became self-managed and self-promoted during 2017. He even filed a lawsuit against his former managers and was also engaged in legal proceedings with Universum.

And I can see Zhanibek Alimkhanuly suffering the same plight as GGG. He’ll need to sign with another promoter to receive opportunities to engage in marquee bouts.

In the meantime, we should expect Zhanibek Alimkhanuly to continually face appalling Denzel Bentley-calibre opposition from this point onwards.

Probably he is gonna fight some tomato cans 2 times per year. He will need to sign Hearn or GBP.

He probably ain't gonna get no Charlo, Mung or Eubank Jr too soon. He needs to get in position as a mandatory for the other 3 titles left.

[apollo creed]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

Agree. Won the alphabet belt against a terrible opponent, now defending against terrible opponent. Reminds me a little of GGG when he first won his belt. They matched him with a crap opponent for his belt, then he defended against mostly poor opposition for 2-3 years before his promoters put him in with consistently decent opposition.

Jani will need to change his promoter and then try to be the mandatory challenger for the other titles like G did back in the days.

Realistically GGG was unknown at that time, he had no big fanbase, no big profile, poor promotion and management and he was a very risky fighter. Pretty much he had no big financial back up to get the big fights with Martinez, JCCJr and Cotto, so GGG had to fight all the top contenders and get in position for the big titles.(Ouma, Proksa, Rosado, Macklin, Stevens, Geale(to get WBA super mw title), Rubio( WBC interim mw title), Murray, Lemieux (IBF mw title) then Jacobs , etc, etc.

[Bandog]

Janibek is fighting worse competition than Andrade. I'd not be surprised if Jani takes the same path/managed as Andrade or Charlo.

I'd like to see Jani building up his resume by fighting guys like Chenko, Lara, Adames and Murata.

Agree. Won the alphabet belt against a terrible opponent, now defending against terrible opponent. Reminds me a little of GGG when he first won his belt. They matched him with a crap opponent for his belt, then he defended against mostly poor opposition for 2-3 years before his promoters put him in with consistently decent opposition.

Jani will need to change his promoter and then try to be the mandatory challenger for the other titles like G did back in the days.

Realistically GGG was unknown at that time, he had no big fanbase, no big profile, poor promotion and management and he was a very risky fighter. Pretty much he had no big financial back up to get the big fights with Martinez, JCCJr and Cotto, so GGG had to fight all the top contenders and get in position for the big titles.(Ouma, Proksa, Rosado, Macklin, Stevens, Geale(to get WBA super mw title), Rubio( WBC interim mw title), Murray, Lemieux (IBF mw title) then Jacobs , etc, etc.

What you say about GGG gives hope to Andrades career.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Some trash talk between the fighters

[apollo creed]

Agree. Won the alphabet belt against a terrible opponent, now defending against terrible opponent. Reminds me a little of GGG when he first won his belt. They matched him with a crap opponent for his belt, then he defended against mostly poor opposition for 2-3 years before his promoters put him in with consistently decent opposition.

Jani will need to change his promoter and then try to be the mandatory challenger for the other titles like G did back in the days.

Realistically GGG was unknown at that time, he had no big fanbase, no big profile, poor promotion and management and he was a very risky fighter. Pretty much he had no big financial back up to get the big fights with Martinez, JCCJr and Cotto, so GGG had to fight all the top contenders and get in position for the big titles.(Ouma, Proksa, Rosado, Macklin, Stevens, Geale(to get WBA super mw title), Rubio( WBC interim mw title), Murray, Lemieux (IBF mw title) then Jacobs , etc, etc.

What you say about GGG gives hope to Andrades career.

I guess that Andrade and even Charlo are keep hoping to win the Canelo's lottery ticket. They try so hard to protect their 0. Even Benavidez does that, when he could move up at 175 and try to fight some top contenders from that weight class.

Why not Benavidez vs Callum/Buatsi/Yarde or Browne@ 175?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Winner fights Munguia as per WBO

[Bandog]

Winner fights Munguia as per WBO

Dream on.

[Bandog]

Jani will need to change his promoter and then try to be the mandatory challenger for the other titles like G did back in the days.

Realistically GGG was unknown at that time, he had no big fanbase, no big profile, poor promotion and management and he was a very risky fighter. Pretty much he had no big financial back up to get the big fights with Martinez, JCCJr and Cotto, so GGG had to fight all the top contenders and get in position for the big titles.(Ouma, Proksa, Rosado, Macklin, Stevens, Geale(to get WBA super mw title), Rubio( WBC interim mw title), Murray, Lemieux (IBF mw title) then Jacobs , etc, etc.

What you say about GGG gives hope to Andrades career.

I guess that Andrade and even Charlo are keep hoping to win the Canelo's lottery ticket. They try so hard to protect their 0. Even Benavidez does that, when he could move up at 175 and try to fight some top contenders from that weight class.

Why not Benavidez vs Callum/Buatsi/Yarde or Browne@ 175?

Explain to me why Canelo, Charlo, GGG, Eubank Jr, Plant, BJS, Lara, etc won't fight Andrade, and Benevidez says only if he gets more than if he fights Canelo? That scary?

[margaret thatcher]

What you say about GGG gives hope to Andrades career.

I guess that Andrade and even Charlo are keep hoping to win the Canelo's lottery ticket. They try so hard to protect their 0. Even Benavidez does that, when he could move up at 175 and try to fight some top contenders from that weight class.

Why not Benavidez vs Callum/Buatsi/Yarde or Browne@ 175?

Explain to me why Canelo, Charlo, GGG, Eubank Jr, Plant, BJS, Lara, etc won't fight Andrade, and Benevidez says only if he gets more than if he fights Canelo? That scary?

there, we go, even more ducking talk, let me guess, godzilla is ducking andrade too

[Bandog]

I don't call it ducking, I call it selective matchmaking which is smart if you are not confident you will win. Unless it is a purse so low it isn't worth it, it is turned down...it's not about being afraid. Boxers in general aren't afraid to fight each other.

There are a few old school legacy first boxers out there, but can't think of any at the moment.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Janibek Alimkhanuly

"Last time {I fought}, it was just the beginning of my knockout career. I hope God will {give me the strength} to do much better, and you can see all of my good punches."

"When I came to America, it was already in our plans to bring a good team around us. Because of this team, I am a champion now."

"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 means a lot. We're at the top of the sport now. This is what I've dreamed of as a fighter. 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."

On Janibek saying he will knock him out: "He's meant to say that. He wants to keep his KO streak and so do I. We're in for a good fight Saturday."

Seniesa Estrada

"I'll be back in the ring after over 300 days. I'm so blessed to continue, and end, my career with Top Rank. I thank God, and I thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for giving me the opportunity to represent women's boxing. They've done such a great job with Mikaela Mayer, and I've always noticed that and recognized that. I'm happy that now I can be back in the ring and show everybody what I'm about and continue to rack up world titles."

"I don't underestimate anybody that I step in the ring with. I know that this is her time to shine. I know she's coming in to defeat me, and she's coming in as the underdog. I know she's training harder than she's ever trained before, and I'm training harder than I've ever trained before because, now, I have a bigger and better platform. I know I still have a lot to prove. I know Argentineans are tough, but I have that Mexican blood and Mexican heart. I come from where fighter like Fernando Vargas came from and other great Mexicans. I'm going to show that Saturday night."

"It's very special because these last 11 months have been difficult for me staying out of the ring and not fighting. So, I felt like I was missing out on so much because I'm so competitive, and I want to show that I'm great. I know it means so much to my father and {head trainer} Dean {Campos}, who put so much time into me when women's boxing was nowhere. Women's boxing has had the most amazing year this year. Fast forward to now, I feel like I didn't miss out on anything these past 11 months because I'm back at a better time in women's boxing than ever. I'm just going to elevate women's boxing so much more."

Jazmin Gala Villarino

"It's a happiness I cannot hide. I'm happy, and I'm ready for this moment."

"This is a big opportunity. I'm going to take full advantage of it. I feel like they are underestimating me a little bit, but I come from the land of 'Chino' Maidana and all these great Argentinean fighters. We are going to put on a great show Saturday."

"I prepared to get the title away from the champion. She's like the fifth-ranked women's fighter in the world, and I'm going to take full advantage of this opportunity. That's how I prepared."

Emiliano Vargas

"God is the greatest. I want to thank Bob Arum personally for the taking the time and even considering signing me. It's a blessing. Top Rank has had all the stars of boxing in history. You look back, it's had Floyd Mayweather, it's had Oscar {De La Hoya}. it's had countless, countless world champions {and fighters} I look up to. It's a blessing. I want to thank my management as well for looking over everything and making sure everything is right. We're ready to put on a show November 12."

"{My father} is everything I need him to be. A great father, especially with him not having a father... we have a beautiful dynamic. He's everything I need him to be. He doesn't really need to get on me. I know exactly what I need to do, and this camp has been phenomenal. I've had the opportunity to spar with Jorge Linares this entire camp. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to show the world that these Vargas' can fight. We're not just a last name. You'll be surprised. Believe me, you'll be surprised."

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Bandog]

I think uncle Bob has too many top fighters in his stable at the moment to gamble on bankrolling a vitually unknown email champ, good or not.

[apollo creed]

If TR doesn't make some serious big money offers to the ather top mw's to fight Jani, then Jani would get on ol' bum diet for a long time.

[margaret thatcher]

ya too bad boo boo b!tched out

[Bandog]

ya too bad boo boo b!tched out

Maybe Janibek should move up, chase everyone to Light Heavy.

[margaret thatcher]

ya too bad boo boo b!tched out

Maybe Janibek should move up, chase everyone to Light Heavy.

he could, though he shouldnt expect boo boo to ever man up and fight him

at nearly 35 boo boo has more important things to do, like sit around not fighting anyone

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Saturday November 12, 2022
Location: Pearl Concert Theatre of Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV
TV/Stream: ESPN+ / BT Sport 1

Start Times
ESPN+: 6 pm ET | 3 pm PT | 11 pm GMT (Preliminary Card)
ESPN+: 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT | 1 am GMT (Main Card)
BT Sport: 2 am GMT (Main Card)

Promoted by: Top Rank Inc & Queensberry Promotions

Main Card

WBO Middleweight Championship
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Denzel Bentley

WBA Minimumweight Championship
Seniesa Estrada vs. Jazmin Gala Villarino

Undercard

8 Round Lightweight Bout
Raymond Muratalla vs. Miguel Contreras

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Antonio Mireles vs. Eric Perry

8 Round Lightweight Bout
Karlos Balderas vs. Esteban Sanchez

6 Round Super middleweight Bout
Javier Martinez vs. Marco Delgado

4 Round Lightweight Bout
Charlie Sheehy vs. Markus Bowes

4 Round Lightweight Bout
Emiliano Vargas vs. Julio Martinez

6 Round super Bantamweight Bout
Floyd Diaz vs. Edgar Joe Cortes

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone watching this?