We are just days away from the return of WBO middleweight champion Janibek ‘Qazaq Style’ Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) facing Steven ‘Big Bang’ Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs), which will headline a card streamed on ESPN+. Alimkhanuly looks to spark the fire to lure some of the more prominent names or other champions in or around 160 lbs, with the middleweight division almost forgotten. At one point, there were discussions of junior middleweight contender Charles Conwell moving up to challenge Alimkhanuly, but those talks never materialized into anything significant. Although Alimkhanuly is the heavy favorite, Butler will look to steal the show and introduce himself as a player in the middleweight division.
JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY VS. STEVEN BUTLER BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Janibek Alimkhanuly is the favorite at -2000, and Steven Butler is the underdog at +1000.
Janibek Alimkhanuly: Decision +400; TKO/KO -650
Draw: +2800
Steven Butler: Decision +2200; TKO/KO +1600
π Doubleheader on deck π#JanibekButler | MAY 13 | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/B0RMA4mbQs
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 10, 2023
WILL JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY HAVE TO PULL OUT ‘QAZAQ STYLE’ AGAINST STEVEN BUTLER?
π°πΏ πππππ πππππ π°πΏ
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 10, 2023
The hardest hitting middleweight on the planet? π’@trboxing | #JanibekButler pic.twitter.com/dDHeWqRJ8C
Let’s be completely honest, this is a showcase fight for Alimkhanuly, who desperately seeks a significant fight, but no one seems eager to get in there with him. Demetrius Andrade had a chance, and he passed it up as well. Alimkhanuly is a big southpaw who moves well and has great punch placement. No one wants to deal with this, and on Saturday night, Butler will find out exactly why. I don’t see this being hard for Alimkhanuly, as Butler is tailormade for him. I see Alimkhanuly not having to think in there too much, and he will wear down Butler to the point of a stoppage. Alimkhanuly won’t even have to pull out ‘Qazaq Style’ as he should have no issues with Butler on ESPN+.
CAN STEVEN BUTLER DELIVER THE ‘BIG BANG’ ON ESPN+?
Butler is a 27-year-old fighter from Canada who has shared the ring with a few notable names like now-retired former WBA champion Ryota Murata and Mark DeLuca (29-4, 17 KOs). Although he lost to Murata but won against DeLuca, it’s the experience he has that Alimkhanuly is seeking as he continues to build his resume. The problem is that Butler won’t bring anything to the fight, as his style is pretty basic. He possesses some power, but Alimkhanuly is on a different level. I don’t think he will have the opportunity to deliver the ‘Big Bang’ as Alimkhanuly will put on too much pressure.
JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY VS. STEVEN BUTLER PREDICTION
This won’t be close, and Alimkhanuly will put together a clear beatdown of Butler which will last some rounds before the referee or the corner stops the fight. Alimkhanuly will win this one by eighth-round TKO.
One of boxing's most ducked champions returns this weekend to defend his title π€#JanibekButler | SATURDAY | 10 PM ET | @ESPN and @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/cZyx5njIOg
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 10, 2023
JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY VS. STEVEN BUTLER DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, May 13
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY VS. STEVEN BUTLER?
- U.S.: ESPN+
- UK: Sky Sports
