A middleweight unification heads a card at Fort Bend Community Center in Rosenberg, Texas this Saturday evening, as Janibek Alimkhanuly risks his WBO title against IBF boss, Vincenzo Gualtieri.
Top Rank promote Janibek vs Gualtieri, while Sky Sports televise in the UK, and ESPN pick up the USA rights.
Janibek (14-0, 9 KOs) is another Kazakh off a long production line, and he has impressed with every passing performance.
The 30-year-old retired former WBA world champion Rob Brant after eight rounds in June 2021, and five months later halted another former WBA champion in Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in eight.
‘Qazaq Style’ was made WBO interim champion after ruining Danny Dignum in two rounds last May, and he had to work hard in his first defence after being upgraded to full champion, seeing off Londoner Denzel Bentley on the cards.
It was back to an early finish last time out in May though, as he knocked out Steven Butler in two rounds.
Germany’s Gualtieri (21-0-1, 7 KOs) is something of an unknown quantity, having never ventured outside of his homeland, but he is durable, having gone the championship distance in his last six outings.
The 30-year-old won the vacant IBF crown in July, clearly outscoring Esquiva Falcao, but Janibek will be a whole different prospect this weekend.
Prediction: Janibek should be a level above his European opponent here, and I can’t see Gualtieri offering much. I favour the Kazakh to get the win and the second belt before halfway.
Davis faces Albright
The undercard features one ten round contest, and it involves the talented Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs), who is coming off solid wins against Anthony Yigit and Francesco Patera.
Prediction: He can impress again by halting Nahir Albright (16-2, 7 KOs), who has never previously been stopped, in their lightweight meeting.
Vianello returns
Guido Vianello (10-1-1, 9 KOs) returns after a shock loss to Jonathan Rice in his last contest, and the Italian can return to winning ways with a stoppage against Curtis Harper (14-9, 9 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder at heavyweight.
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Remaining Undercard
Also in eight round action, Olympic silver medalist, Duke Ragan (8-0, 1 KOs) should get by Jose Perez (11-1-2, 5 KOs) on the cards at featherweight.
At super lightweight, Kelvin Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) can take an early win against Narciso Carmona (11-1-1, 6 KOs), and at lightweight, Humberto Galindo (14-3-1, 11 KOs) can outpoint Oscar Bravo (25-13, 11 KOs).
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In six rounders, heavyweight hope Richard Torrez Jr (6-0, 6 KOs) should notch another quick win against Tyrell Anthony Herndon (21-4, 14 KOs), and at super lightweight, Giovanni Marquez (6-0, 4 KOs) should stop Donte Strayhorn (12-4-1, 4 KOs).
Lightweight youngster Alan Garcia (9-0, 8 KOs) can take another knockout win, this time against Nelson Hampton (10-7, 6 KOs), and heavyweight debutant Jakhongir Zokirov should take care of Guillermo Del Rio (4-4-1, 2 KOs) inside schedule.
