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Boxing

Janibek Alimkhanuly targeting Canelo Alvarez fight after turning down title challenge

Alexander Netherton
Janibek Alimkhanuly targeting Canelo Alvarez fight after turning down title challengeGettyImages

WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly wants to fight Jermell Charlo or Canelo Alvarez after rejecting a fight against Esquiva Falcao.

Following the confirmation that Demetrius Andrade had moved up to super middleweight, the Kazak interim champion was elevated to full titlist. 

That led to Falcao angling for a fight, tweeting: “Now, that you are a real champion, I can go take your belt. Let’s go champion.”

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Alimkhanuly politely declined the offer, instead preferring to fight for a unification.

He responded: “If you want to fight me, first you have to be a champion, then we'll talk. I'm not interested in boxers without a title. I respect you, but you are no name in the world of boxing! I wanna fight Charlo, Canelo!” 

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32-year-old American Charlo holds the WBC championship belt, while Canelo is due to fight Gennadiy Golovkin live on DAZN (check for regions).

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