IBF middleweight world title challenger Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0) is expecting to make short work of Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0) in Sydney on Friday, despite the oddsmakers telling a different story.
The 26-year-old Kiwi has previously prepared to face the undefeated Kazakh world champion but their scheduled July bout in Las Vegas was called off at the last minute.
On that occasion, Alimkhanuly was hospitalised after he fainted in the final stages of his weight cut, seeing him withdrawn from the contest.
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While that fight was set to see both the IBF and WBO titles go on the line, just the former will be up for grabs at The Star in Sydney.
For both fighters, that means they need to weigh in again no more than 10 pounds (4.5kg) over the contracted 160-pound (72.5kg) on the morning of the fight, whereas the IBF rehydration clause is waived when other titles are on the line.
Mikhailovich, having already become familiar with Alimkhanuly’s struggles with the weight, questioned the wisdom of the 31-year-old, as well as the decision to arrive in Sydney in Wednesday, just two days before the fight.
“I think it’s stupid. If I’m the IBF and WBO world champion and I’m coming down from 86 kilos, I’d try and fight for the unified title, because then there isn’t this 10-pound IBF rehydration clause which you have to do on the morning of the fight,” Mikhailovich told Sporting News.
“The other thing, he’s landing so late in Sydney and I know how weight goes, travelling always adds a couple pounds and it takes a few days to come off.
“There’s no point even worrying or thinking about it.
“As long as he shows up and he’s in the ring and I get to fight him, that’s all I’m worried about.”
Alimkhanuly’s medical mishap earlier this year cost him in more ways than one.
When the IBF insisted he must defend his title against the mandatory challenger in Mikhailovich, the bout went to purse bids, which the New Zealander’s promoter, No Limit Boxing, won by $1,000, outbidding Top Rank with $351,000.
Now, Alimkhanuly must defend his title a long way from home, dealing with the associated challenges of travel and leaving himself little time to acclimatise.
Despite that, the bookmakers have him a nearly unbackable $1.12 favourite.
Such is his confidence, even this week Alimkhanuly has been calling out the division’s other titleholders, Erislandy Lara (WBA) and Carlos Adames (WBC), on social media, clearly confident of brushing aside the challenger in front of him.
“I don’t care what he thinks,” Mikhailovich said.
“His arrogance blinds him, that’s how I feel. I think he’s just this arrogant pr*ck that talks.
“Just to be so bluntly arrogant about this whole thing, about how he’s going to knock me out.
“Cool, do it then, show me what you got. If you’re this monster they say you are, do it.
“I just don’t believe it’s going to happen, I believe 150 million per cent I’m going to murder him, I’m just going to smash him.
“What do you think this is? I should be nice and respectful? Nah, stuff that, he mucked us around and all you’ve done is make it worse for him.
“This was going to be a short and sweet beating, now it’s going to be a prolonged bashing, that’s the only difference now.”
The unbeaten Mikhailovich is yet to face anyone near the level of the champion and has fought just half a round since last April but he couldn’t be more confident of victory come Friday.
“I’ve fought six rounds in two-and-a-half years,” he added.
“Do you know how much development I’ve done in that time?
“I think people are going to be surprised at how ruthless and easy I make this look.
“It’s going to look like I’m meant to be here and I’m the star of the show. It’s going to look natural.”
