Janibek Alimkhanuly is looking to have a busy 2023 after winning gold for the first time. The WBO middleweight champion defends the belt against Steven Butler on May 13.
In California, the Bob Arum-ran Top Rank will produce the show on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S.
Alimkhanuly turned pro in 2016. In May, he beat Danny Dignam via knockout to win the interim WBO title. He was on track to fight Demetrius Andrade for the regular title. However, Andrade vacated the belt to move to a new division. In his last fight in November, Alimkhanuly, now promoted, beat Denzel Bentley to retain the title.
Butler turned pro in 2014. The Canadian is a multi-time title contender, losing against Ryota Murata in 2019 for the WBA middleweight title. Following that bout, he has gone 4-1 and is on a four-fight win streak. The 27-year-old, the NABF middleweight champion, last fought in December, beating Joshua Conley via unanimous decision.
MORE: Sign up to watch Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler, exclusively on ESPN+
Another title fight will take place on the card, and a young phenom looks to score a rebound win. Here is a look into the entire main card of Alimkhanuly vs. Butler.
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler undercard
Jason Moloney vs. Vincent Astrolabio
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Moloney record: 25-2
- Astrolabio record: 18-3
- Belts at stake: WBO bantamweight title
Jason Moloney faces Vincent Astrolabio for the WBO bantamweight title. A competitor in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Moloney (25-2) turned pro in 2014. The Aussie won the Commonwealth bantamweight title in 2018 against Immanuel Naidjala. That year, he unsuccessfully challenged Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF bantamweight title. Following a winning streak, Moloney failed to capture the IBF and WBA bantamweight belts against Naoya Inoue in 2020.
Since then, he has won four in a row, his last bout a unanimous decision win over Nawaphon Kaikanha in October.
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"On May 13, I will become champion of the world. Nineteen years of hard work, countless sacrifices, and complete dedication to the sport all come down to this moment," Moloney said. "Whatever it takes to have this world championship wrapped around my waist, nothing will stop me. I want to say a big thank you to Top Rank and my team for giving me this opportunity."
Astrolabio (18-3) turned pro in 2015. The Filipino is on a six-fight win streak, with five wins via knockout. His last bout was a knockout win against Nikolai Potapov in December.
"Ever since I started boxing, my dream was to fight for a world title, and dreams do come true with hard work," Astrolabio said. "I have played this moment over and over in my head, and I will not be denied the world title. I want to thank my promoter, Manny Pacquiao, and Sean Gibbons for getting me this WBO bantamweight world title shot."
Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Derrick Murray
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Flores record: 21-2
- Murray record: 17-8-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Gabriel Flores Jr. will be in action against Derrick Murray. Starting his career in 2017, he had his 20-fight unbeaten streak snapped against Luis Alberto Lopez in 2021. Flores rebounded in March against Abraham Montoya but lost his last bout in July against Giovanni Cabrera.
His opponent Murray has picked up just six knockout wins in his 17 victories since turning pro in 2011. Murray has struggled of late in the ring with four defeats in his last six and he'll be looking to avoid a third straight defeat against Flores. In 2023 he's already suffered losses to Rolando Vargas and Alejandro Paulino.
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The rest of the undercard on the night is as follows:
- Robson Conceicao vs. Nicolas Polanco, 10 rounds, Super Featherweight
- Javier Martinez vs. Joeshon James, 8 rounds, Middleweight
- Brian Norman Jr vs. Jesus Antonio Perez Campos, 8 rounds, Welterweight
- Haven Brady Jr vs. D’Angelo Fuentes, 8 rounds, Junior Lightweight
- Amado Vargas vs. Bernardo Manzano, 4 rounds, Featherweight
- Ruben Villa vs. Maickol Lopez Villagrana, 8 rounds, Featherweight
When is Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler?
- Date: Saturday, May 13 | Sunday, May 14
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST
- Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. PT | 4:30 a.m. BST | 1:30 p.m. AEST (approx.)
The Top Rank-produced event takes place on Saturday, May 13. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST. Janibek Alimkhanuly and Steven Butler should be heading to the ring around 11:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. PT | 4:30 a.m. BST | 1:30 p.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
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How to watch Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. May 13 | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sat. May 13 | TBA |
| United Kingdom | Sun. May 14 | TBA |
| Australia | Sun. May 14 | Main Event on Kayo |
In the U.S., Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler can be watched on ESPN+.
MORE: Sign up to watch Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler, exclusively on ESPN+
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler price: How much does the card cost?
You can pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $99.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $13.99/month |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |
