IBF/WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkanuri is reportedly ready and willing to move up to 168 to face David Benavidez. This match makes sense for both men considering the lack of attractive matches.
Why 168 makes sense
Even if Janibek doesn't win the fight against Benavidez, it would be good for him to vacate his two middleweight titles. [IBF & WBO] And start campaigning at 168, where you can get more money.
Besides a fight with Benavidez at 168, Janibek would have other interesting options at super middleweight:
- edgar berlanga
- Christian Mbili
- Diego Pacheco
- caleb plant
- Jaime Munguia
- david morel
- Canelo Alvarez
Janibek, a hard hitter, has more chances in the super middleweight division than in the dead weight class of 160, and he has the power to compete with the best in the 168 division.
The 27-year-old Benavidez has persistently wanted a fight with Canelo Alvarez, but there is no realistic chance of that fight happening without Saudi involvement.
They have already made it clear that they are interested in facing Benavidez in a light heavyweight undisputed bout between the winner of Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on June 1st.
According to Benavidez's father, Jose Benavidez Sr., Benavidez will compete against 175-year-old Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the WBC light heavyweight title on the undercard card of Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin on June 15th at PPV. He plans to play against him in his debut match.
If Benavidez wins that, he will face the winner of the Bivol-Beterbiev fight in Saudi Arabia in December.
Janivek's Chance
Even if Benavidez is able to compete for the undisputed light heavyweight championship, he'll likely lose and be forced to lick his bruised pride and return to the 168-pound division. His career has been about fighting small-scale opponents.
That's why Janibek needs to be at No. 168 for when Benavidez returns to the division after a loss to Bivol or Benavidez. Because he'll need a dance partner and, as this writer said, he'll be able to forget about Canelo.
Janibek recently won the IBF middleweight title with a sixth-round knockout of little-known Vincenzo Gualtieri last October.
This opponent was an example of how barren and lifeless their 160-pound division has become since the departures of Gennady Golovkin, Canelo Alvarez and Jermall Charlo. If Janivec remains in the middleweight division much longer, his career will be hampered and the opportunities for big money the 168-year-old fighter will be limited.
