Zhanibek Alimkhanuly

Early Life and Career

 

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly was born on April 1, 1993, in Zhilandy, Kazakhstan, a country known for its strong boxing traditions and history of producing Olympic champions. Alimkhanuly’s passion for boxing began at an early age, influenced by the prominent boxing culture in Kazakhstan and the successes of fellow Kazakhstani boxers on the international stage.

 

Alimkhanuly was introduced to boxing as a child, starting his training under local coaches who quickly recognized his potential. His dedication and natural talent were evident from the start, and he soon began participating in local and national competitions. This early exposure to competitive boxing laid the groundwork for his disciplined approach and technical skills, which would become hallmarks of his style.

 

His amateur career is marked by several notable achievements, highlighting his ascent in the sport. Alimkhanuly’s breakthrough came in 2013 when he won the gold medal at the Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia. This victory was significant, establishing him as a promising talent in the middleweight division. He continued to build on this success and in 2013, he clinched the World Championship title in Almaty, Kazakhstan, showcasing his skill against some of the world’s best amateur boxers.

 

In addition to his World Championship win, Alimkhanuly also represented Kazakhstan at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Although he did not medal, his participation in the Olympics was a testament to his skill level and perseverance. Throughout his amateur career, Alimkhanuly faced various top-tier opponents, accumulating experience and honing his technique, which paved the way for his transition to professional boxing. His amateur record, which includes numerous national and international victories, set a solid foundation for his professional pursuits, where he would continue to build on his already impressive boxing legacy.

 

Professional Career

 

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly made his professional boxing debut on October 29, 2016, against Milton Núñez in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a victorious start with a first-round technical knockout. His promising career faced a momentary pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of his fight against Issah Samir scheduled for March 21, 2020. Alimkhanuly displayed maturity and perspective regarding the cancellation, emphasizing the gravity of the pandemic over personal career setbacks.

 

In one of his more challenging fights, Alimkhanuly faced former WBA (Regular) champion Rob Brant on June 26, 2021, in Paradise, Nevada. The bout was part of the undercard for Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Masayoshi Nakatani. Alimkhanuly delivered a compelling performance, securing victory through an eighth-round corner retirement after knocking Brant down in the sixth round.

 

Continuing his ascent, Alimkhanuly fought Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam on November 20, 2021, under the spotlight of the Terence Crawford vs. Shawn Porter event. He dominated the fight, achieving an eighth-round technical knockout and had previously scored a knockdown in the third round, clearly leading on all scorecards.

 

Alimkhanuly’s pursuit of the WBO middleweight title saw a pivotal moment when Demetrius Andrade was ordered to defend his title against him on November 30, 2021. However, after Andrade moved up in weight, Alimkhanuly fought and defeated Danny Dignum for the vacant WBO interim middleweight title on May 21, 2022, in Las Vegas, delivering a decisive second-round stoppage.

 

He was promoted to WBO middleweight champion on August 30, 2022, after Andrade vacated the title. Alimkhanuly then successfully defended his title against Denzel Bentley on November 12, 2022, winning by unanimous decision in a masterful display of skill and power.

 

In a unification bout, Alimkhanuly faced Vincenzo Gualtieri on October 14, 2023, in Rosenberg, Texas. Training under the guidance of Brian Viloria, Alimkhanuly secured a TKO victory in the sixth round, enhancing his status as a unified middleweight champion and further cementing his legacy in the sport. This victory not only showcased his dominance but also aligned him with Kazakhstan’s rich boxing heritage.