Boxing news 2024: Kiwi world title challenger’s Tyson Fury promise in Friday night’s bout

Andrei Mikhailovich is promising a Tyson Fury-like shake up of world boxing when he steps into the ring as a massive underdog against the middle weight world champion in Sydney on Friday night.

Kiwi middleweight contender Andrei Mikhailovich has some harsh words for Janibek Alimkhanuly. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Andrei Mikhailovich is planning a Tyson Fury-like takeover of world boxing, promising to cause the biggest upset of the year against “arrogant” middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in Sydney on Friday night.

The 26-year-old Russian-born Aucklander also hit out at odds makers who have him installed as a $7.25 outsider, while calling for fight officials to keep a close eye on Janibek so he doesn’t take any shortcuts making weight.

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Just two days before the NRL Grand Final, and after months of heated build-up, Janibek will finally put his IBF middleweight world title on the line against Mikhailovich at The Stay in Sydney on Friday.

The pair were originally scheduled to meet for Janibek’s IBF and WBO titles in July, but the 31-year-old Kazakh fell ill and pulled out barely 24 hours before the fight.

The farcical weigh-in debacle was the first sign that Janibek hadn’t prepared properly for Mikhailovich’s title challenge seriously.

Janibek is known as one of the hardest punchers in boxing, but there are rumours he hasn’t taken the fight seriously. Picture: Getty Images

That has extended into fight week this week, with Janibek not arriving in Sydney until Wednesday morning, barely two days before the fight, and only 30 hours ahead of the weigh-ins.

All of which puts Mikhailovich in prime position to pull off the kind of upset Fury caused against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

Fury’s win set him on the path to global superstardom, and marked a turning point in heavyweight boxing history by ending Klitschko’s decade of dominance.

“When he fought Klitschko, Tyson Fury was a complete unknown,” Mikhailovich told this masthead after jetting into Sydney on Tuesday. “But then he beats Klitschko and everyone thinks he’s the man.

Tyson Fury’s win over Wladimir Klitschko set him on a path for global superstardom. Picture: Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images

“I’m not saying I’m Tyson Fury, but it’s very similar. We’re completely different, but when he won, it was such a big upset.

“I remember watching that and thinking it was such a good thing for boxing because it shakes everything up.

“So I’m here to be the chef, to shake it all up and make it more interesting.

“When I finish, my name will be in the stones of time, and the sands will wash everybody else’s away.”

Janibek’s is the first name Mikhailovich vows will be washed away, and the champion has raised a few eyebrows by deciding to arrive in Australia at 6am on Wednesday, just two days before the fight.

Janibek has been accused of taking the fight lightly. Picture: Steve Marcus/Getty Images

After collapsing while attempting to make weight for their cancelled first fight in July, there are serious concerns behind the scenes about Janibek’s ability to get down to the 160-pound limit by midday Thursday.

The IBF-mandated same day weigh in is also an issue. Under the IBF’s rules, fighters must not weigh more than 10 pounds over the weight limit on the morning of the fight, putting Janibek under even more pressure.

“Absolutely,” Mikhailovich said when asked whether his team will monitor the Kazakh fighter’s weight cut to make sure it’s above board. “That’s what a good team is for – they have your back.

“But, this is a Sydney card, I love Sydney, this is my neck of the woods and this is my promoter (No Limit), so it’s all good, man.

“It’s arrogance from him, and if he wants to fly in late, that’s all on him at the end of the day. I just don’t want to hear any excuses when he loses.

“Believe it or not, I don’t think about him – ever. I don’t care about him. I don’t care what he’s got going on, I feel nothing. I don’t care about your heartbeat, your feelings or your thoughts.

Mikhailovich is planning the biggest upset of 2024. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

“You’re just a target to me.

“He doesn’t need to know my name, he just needs to feel my pain.”

The staunch and stoic Mikhailovich does have one grievance though – the betting odds.

Janibek is a near unbackable favourite at just $1.12, while the challenger is a whopping $7.25.

“F**k your bookmakers, bro,” Mikhailovic laughed. “I’m trying not to swear, but I think you’ll be surprised by how easy I do it.

“I think it’s gonna shock a lot of people.

“I’ll win, I’ll try not to swear, then I’ll turn my phone off, not talk to anyone for a few weeks and just take my kids and family away for a holiday.”

Originally published as Boxing news 2024: Kiwi world title challenger’s Tyson Fury promise in Friday night’s bout