IBF middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and challenger Andrei Mikhailovich made weight today for their headliner on ESPN+ this Friday, October 4 in Sydney, Australia.
Janibek predicts a first round KO against undefeated #3 IBF Mikhailovich. The two were supposed to meet last July, but Janibek had to pull out after suffering severe dehydration while attempting to make weight.
Weights:
Janibek Alimkhanuly 159.5 lbs
Andrei Mikhailovich 160
Janibek (15-0, 10 KOs) defends his IBF title against Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KOs) at The Star in Sydney, Australia. The event starts at 5:00 am ET / 2:00 am PT.
Mikhailovich Swears to “kill” Janibek
“It’s hard to fight, but soon the world will know who I am, and I’m excited about it,” said Andrei Mikhailovich during the final press conference. “I will win. There is no doubt, and the king will go home.”
“I already feel like a champion. I feel good about myself. I think the main thing is to walk the road like already a champion. I’m cool for what it is. I expect to be here. I I expect to fight champions. This is what I am. I’m going to kill you on Friday.”
“Tomorrow will be a very hard day for you. I will show you what I have to do,” said Janibek.
“I’m excited,” Mikhailovich said. “Do you know what is jetlag? Do you know what is water depletion? Do you know what happens to your skull when you are dehydrated? It is like a layer of water that protects your brain from your skull. Without that and without a good liver, those punches are going to hurt.
“These liver punches are going to really hurt. This temple is going to pop. Good luck, soldier.
“I’m not used to that nonsense. I come from top-level fighters,” said Egis Klimas, Janibek’s manager.
