Janibek "Qazaq Style" Alimkhanuly got his first WBO middleweight world title defense against Denzel Bentley, over Saturday evening at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, in which Alimkhanuly won a 12-round decision with the scores of 116-112 x2, and 118-110 on one card, one thing was clear. This wasn’t what we expected.
A strong eleventh and twelfth round finished the fight strong for Janibek, but Bentley won a slew of rounds including eight, nine, and ten, consecutively to make the bout close.
“It’s boxing. Anything can happen in the ring. He came prepared,” said the WBO middleweight world champion. “I respect my opponent because he was prepared. He was 100 percent, but I am a champion and I fought all 12 rounds as a champion.”
This was the first world title defense for Alimkhanuly, but seemingly not his last as he made this declaration after the fight.
“I am ready for any champion, for unifications. I am ready. Let’s fight."
Bentley, a two-time British middleweight champion might have lost the fight, but won over the hearts of a lot of new fans in the process.