After the biggest win of Liam Smith’s career, the WBO has ordered a fight between Smith and the WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, which was stated on Wednesday.
The two have a 20-day negotiation before the fight would go to a purse bid.
“Please be advised that the parties herein are hereby ordered to commence negotiations for the subject matter bout,” Luis Batista-Salas, stated. WBO Championship Committee chairman. “Failure to reach an agreement within the time provided herein will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings pursuant to WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.”
Yet, boxing will box, and by that I mean get in its own way. On Valentine’s Day Chris Eubank Jr., activated his rematch clause with Liam Smith, forcing a mandatory rematch. So whether Smith wants to fight Janibek or not, the rematch clause trumps all and would force Smith to face Eubank Jr. regardless. Smith knocked out Eubank Jr in January of this year, that was widely seen as an upset.
“This morning I activated the rematch clause via my lawyers & sent to my promoters @Wasserman [Boxing],” Eubank said on Valentine’s Day via his Twitter page. “Happy Valentine’s Day @LiamBeefySmith.”
Alimkhanuly recently made the news when bizarrely Charles Conwell, a top-rated 154 lbs fighter was offered a world title shot against him despite not competing in the middleweight division. Now the WBO has ordered a rightful contender to face him, yet it appears Smith will be unable to fight Alimkhanuly. Prior to winning the world title, Alimkhanuly was set to face Demetrius Andrade, but Andrade vacated his WBO middleweight world title to go to super middleweight and pursue bigger fights. Currently sitting at the #2 position in the WBO rankings is Jaime Munguia, and #3 Meirim Nursultanov, who will likely be Alimkhanuly’s next fight, if you ask me.
“I hope he won't give up the fight!,” said Janibek Alimkhanuly via Twitter. To be honest, I'm tired of the opponent's refusals! I hope my next opponent will fight me. But I promise you that I will be one of the most popular boxers in this world, inshallah. Everyone knows that if you have a goal and you believe in it, then you will achieve it.”