Exclusive: Janibek Alimkhanuly is ‘taking over’ middleweight division says Matchroom’s Jimmy Sains

The 30-year-old stopped Vincenzo Gualtieri in the sixth round last October to add the IBF title to his WBO crown.

Janibek has made no secret of his plans to unify the division, setting his sights on WBC title holder Jermall Charlo and WBA champion Erislandy Lara.

Last November, the Kazakh fighter said on X: “Everyone knows what I need! Four belts.”

Everyone knows what I need! 4 belts 👑 pic.twitter.com/qeKBUsVNtX

— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@qazaqstyle) November 9, 2023

Sains is only in the infancy of his middleweight career and has some time to go before potentially swapping leather with the elite of the division.

The Brit enjoyed a TKO victory over Jesus Lobeto over the weekend to take his professional record to 2-0.

When asked about the current state of the middleweights, he admits that Janibek is the man to beat.

“I’ve been watching. I’ve sparred with some of the top fighters as well. People like Denzel Bentley I suppose. I also watched Janibek recently, from Kazakhstan.

“But to be honest, I think he’s [Janibek] taking over at the minute. I think he’s a great fighter, he’s someone I watch quite a bit. Even though he’s a southpaw I still try and take little things from his style.

“But to be honest, the middleweight division, I think especially in Britain, I feel like it’s opening for me in the next couple of years coming through.

“I don’t want to make big jumps, I’d love to do the southern area, then the English and work my way up towards the British [title]. I’m looking forward to doing that.

“I want to take my time. The right fights at the right time is the most important.”