Janibek Alimkhanuly has publicly set his sights on the vacant WBO super‑middleweight title and a potential unification with Canelo Alvarez — but only if Alvarez beats Christian Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh. Alimkhanuly made the declaration on X after Hamzah Sheeraz relinquished the WBO belt rather than face him. Boxing News reports the WBO’s top ratings could produce a fight to fill the vacancy while Canelo prepares to challenge Mbilli for the WBC super‑middleweight title. The situation leaves a clear path to a high‑profile unification if all parties win the fights ahead of them.
Alimkhanuly statement
Alimkhanuly: 'I'm ready' — wants WBO title then Canelo unification
Janibek Alimkhanuly took to X on September 17 to make his intentions plain after Hamzah Sheeraz vacated the WBO super‑middleweight title. In his post Alimkhanuly wrote: "Everyone knows I’m not interested in the money. I’m ready! I’m also ready to see the news that he [Sheeraz] is vacating the title. I just need that title. Then I have to unify with Canelo. That’s it!" The tweet explicitly links his pursuit of the WBO belt with a desire to face Canelo Alvarez should Alvarez emerge victorious from his forthcoming fight with Christian Mbilli.
WBO vacancy
WBO likely to order vacant title fight involving Alimkhanuly, sources say
Boxing News reports it is believed the WBO will soon order a fight to fill the vacant super‑middleweight title. The same report names Janibek Alimkhanuly as the WBO's number one and Denmark’s Jacob Bank at number three, suggesting the two could be matched for the belt. The story adds that WBO number two Diego Pacheco is expected to meet Darius Fulghum on Saturday, November 14. The phrasing in the report preserves uncertainty — the WBO ordering a specific contest is described as likely rather than confirmed.
Canelo vs Mbilli
Alvarez challenges Mbilli on October 31 in Riyadh for WBC super‑middleweight crown
Canelo Alvarez is due to challenge undefeated Christian Mbilli for the WBC super‑middleweight title on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to Boxing News. The report frames the fight as an opportunity for Alvarez, 36 and with 68 professional fights to his name, to regain a world title after losing his undisputed crown to Terence Crawford last year. Boxing News says a victory for Alvarez in Riyadh would also open the door to potential unifications, which is the outcome Alimkhanuly has publicly tied to his own plans.
Sheeraz exit
Sheeraz relinquishes WBO belt rather than face Alimkhanuly
The report states Hamzah Sheeraz had been vocal about wanting to fight Canelo and that a pathway to a Canelo meeting seemed possible if Canelo beat Mbilli and Sheeraz defeated mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly. Instead, Boxing News says Sheeraz has vacated the WBO super‑middleweight title rather than face Alimkhanuly. The same article notes Alimkhanuly previously lost one of his 160lb belts due to a failed drugs test; that detail is included in the reporting rather than presented as an aggrieved claim by any party.
