WBO middleweight world champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly, will make his first world title defense after being elevated to the full champion, when Demetrius Andrade vacated the WBO middleweight title, instead of facing Alimkhanuly, now Alimkhanuly will face Denzel Bentley on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
A very good co-main event will occur on the undercard as undefeated Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada will defend her WBA minimumweight world title against Jazmin Gala Villarino.
The full card will be televised worldwide on ESPN+.
“Janibek is the top middleweight in the world, and this fight will be the start of a long and accomplished championship reign,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “I am thrilled to see Seniesa Estrada make her Top Rank debut. She is an exceptionally talented fighter and is poised to be a superstar in the sport for years to come.”
“I give Denzel Bentley credit for accepting the challenge when so many fighters ran the other way,” said the man being touted as the boogeyman of the division Alimkhanuly. “It is a great honor to defend my world title in Las Vegas at The Palms, and I will once again show the world what ‘Qazaq Style’ is about.”
“It will be a good and exciting fight, and I think it is a fight I can win,” Bentley said. “So why not go out there and enjoy the theatrics of Las Vegas and come back with a world title? I genuinely believe I can beat him, and he is beatable. Everybody says he is scary, but I don't see it. Maybe I am missing something. We will find out when we get in the ring.”
For Estrada, this will be her promotional debut with Top Rank Inc.
“This is an exciting time for women’s boxing, and I am thrilled to be making my Top Rank on ESPN debut in Las Vegas against a worthy challenger in Villarino,” said Estrada. “I am entering the prime of my career and looking forward to unifying the championships in three weight classes. The newest chapter in my career begins November 12, and I can’t wait to get in the ring.”
Notable undercard fighters include 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas and Charlie Sheehy of Brisbane, California.
