Following Hamzah Sheeraz’s decision to relinquish his WBO world title rather than face mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly, a fight has now been agreed for the vacant belt.
Sheeraz made the decision to drop the belt shortly after his promoter, Queensberry Promotions, successfully won the purse bids to stage the mandated defence.
The withdrawal, which came after the Brit expressed grievances over Janibek’s failed doping test last year, forced the WBO to pivot quickly and move down its rankings, and formally instructed Alimkhanuly to face undefeated contender Jacob Bank for the vacant strap.
Today, the sanctioning body’s President, Gustavo Olivieri, released the following statement confirming that both parties have reached an agreement.
“The WBO is pleased to confirm receipt of formal written notification from Team Zhanibek Alimkhanuly and Team Jacob Bank that the parties have reached terms to contest the vacant WBO Super Middleweight World Championship. Further details will be announced in due course.”
Alimkhanuly has long claimed to be one of the sport’s most avoided fighters. The Kazakh southpaw built a fearsome reputation at middleweight, unifying titles with his punishing, heavy-handed style.
Before a highly-anticipated unification with Carlos Adames late last year, he tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. He was stripped by the IBF, but the WBO’s decision to immediately install him as mandatory challenger at super-middleweight infuriated Sheeraz, who branded it ‘corrupt.’
Now standing in the 33-year-old’s way of becoming a two-division champion is undefeated Dane Jacob Bank. The 25-year-old has quietly climbed the WBO rankings to build a flawless 20-0 record, largely operating on the European circuit where he notably stopped previously unbeaten contender William Scull earlier this year.
As for Sheeraz, news on his next bout – understood to be the final in his current contract with Queensberry – is expected soon.
Abel Sanchez is unconvinced by Ryan Garcia’s bid for Fighter of the Year, arguing that Garcia’s marquee wins crumble upon closer inspection. The veteran trainer throws his support behind O’Shaquie Foster or Daniel Dubois instead, openly questioning how Conor Benn ever climbed so high in the WBC rankings before stepping into the ring with Garcia.
Foster earned his credentials by beating Raymond Ford before unifying three super featherweight belts against Emanuel Navarrete. Dubois took care of business by stopping Fabio Wardley twice. To Sanchez, both fighters compiled far more credible resumes than Garcia did by beating Benn and Mario Barrios.
When pressed on Benn holding the WBC’s top spot at welterweight, Sanchez brushed it off entirely.
“In whose mind was he rated number one? He wasn’t rated number one. He didn’t belong in the top 10,” Sanchez said to Fight Hub TV. “When reminded that Benn was the official mandatory challenger, the trainer fired back: “Of course, for Ryan Garcia.”
Sanchez highlights a glaring issue with Garcia’s case. Benn lacked meaningful experience against elite competition, regardless of the sanctioning body’s endorsement. His signature victory came against a mid-30s Chris Eubank Jr., whose career mostly unfolded at domestic and continental levels. While beating Eubank gave Benn name recognition, it hardly proved he was a top-tier welterweight.
Barrios entered the ring holding a belt, yet observers widely viewed him as the most vulnerable titlist in the division. Split draws against Manny Pacquiao and Abel Ramos exposed clear vulnerabilities. Sanchez also pointed out that Barrios gained his champion status through elevation outside the ropes rather than claiming the crown in a fight.
Garcia capitalized on the openings in front of him. Even so, glossy rankings and sanctioning titles can be deceiving when evaluating true resume strength.
If Ryan fought Ennis and took his title, nobody could argue the matchmaking was soft. A high-profile catchweight or junior middleweight scalp against an undisputed or unified titlist. If he moved up to challenge an established world champion at 154 and convincingly defeated them, the sheer ambition and degree of difficulty would outweigh rival claims from Foster or Dubois.
Right now, voters see flash and opportunistic matchmaking. To lock down Fighter of the Year, Garcia has to deliver a signature win where he enters the ring as the underdog against an elite, prime world champion and completely dominates.
Foster presents the standout claim, turning back two proven operators and stripping Navarrete of his hardware. Dubois made an undeniable statement with consecutive stoppages over Wardley. While Garcia delivered flash, Foster collected the victories with real substance.
Related Videos
Ryan Garcia TROLLS Floyd Mayweather!
Fight Hub ·
Ryan Garcia TROLLS Floyd Mayweather
Fight Hype ·
Still thinking about this… 🍿O’Shaquie Foster | @DAZNBoxing
Top Rank ·
Share this article
About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Canelo Alvarez attempts to reclaim the WBC super-middleweight title as he challenges Christian Mbilli on Saturday, and ahead of the action, two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter has predicted that the fight will not go the full distance.
Canelo has gone the full 12 rounds in his last eight bouts, having not registered a stoppage since he halted Caleb Plant in 2021 to become the first undisputed super-middleweight world champion in boxing history.
Meanwhile, 24 of Mbilli’s 29 career victories have not required the judges and the French-Cameroonian has scored first-round knockouts in two of his last four contests, quickly disposing of both Mark Heffron and Maciej Sulecki.
Speaking to DAZNPorter advised Mbilli to target the body of Canelo, in what will be the champion’s first ever world title bout.
“He has a similar style to me, I could do a lot of what Mbilli does. I would tell Mbilli, ‘While you are pushing Canelo back, make sure you are digging to the body and then also make sure that you are stepping around him’.
“I think that the most important part for Mbilli is making sure that he stays off the line because he is going to be right in line for a right-hand all night because we know he is straight, he is right there in front of you.”
Yet, despite offering ‘Solide’ some words of wisdom, Porter went on to predict that Canelo will end his ongoing decision streak and score a statement stoppage win.
“I got him [Canelo] stopping Mbilli. Uppercut or left-hook.”
Canelo-Mbilli takes place on Saturday, October 31 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with world champions Rafael Espinoza and Jaime Munguia also set to appear on the undercard.
Shakur Stevenson has been ordered to fulfil the first mandatory defence of his WBO super-lightweight world title.
The Newark southpaw moved up from lightweight – subsequently being stripped of his WBC belt in that division – to face Teofimo Lopez back in January.
Stevenson put on a boxing masterclass to become just the second man to beat Lopez and a four-division world champion.
He has since signed with, and been released from, Zuffa Boxing, while targeting fights with the likes of Devin Haney, Gary Antuanne Russell and Manny Pacquiao.
Fresh off his free agency – a decision he says he made in order to secure the biggest and best fights in the sport – Stevenson has now been ordered to face Raymond Muratalla.
Muratalla vacated his IBF lightweight belt last month, having been upgraded from interim to full champion in June 2025. He defended the belt against Andy Cruz and Robson Conceicao before making the decision to move up.
Promoter Top Rank recently lobbied the WBO to install the Robert Garcia-trained fighter as mandatoryand President of the sanctioning body, Gustavo Olivieri, has now confirmed the decision.
“Please be advised that the WBO World Championships Committee has unanimously resolved to order the commencement of negotiations between WBO Jr. Welterweight World Champion Shakur Stevenson and WBO #1 World-Rated Contender Raymond Muratalla, in fulfillment of the outstanding mandatory championship obligation.
“The parties shall have 20 days to reach terms, pursuant to WBO Regulations.
“This determination reaffirms our institutional commitment to the consistent enforcement of mandatory championship obligations, competitive fairness, & the integrity of our World Championships.
“The formal negotiation order notice will be issued shortly.”
The ball is now in Stevenson’s court, with his immediate options being face the undefeated mandatory or vacate the belt.
Boxing2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
Boxing2 days ago
Boxing2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
Boxing2 days ago
Boxing1 day ago
Boxing2 days ago