‘I was born for this’: Andrei Mikhailovic eyeing up biggest boxing boilover of 2024

Mikhailovic says his battle with the world champion is ‘another test on my way to greatness’ as he looks to cause a huge upset when he fights for the unified middleweight world title in July.

Andrei Mikhailovic will fight for the unified middleweight world title in July. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Russian-born Kiwi Andrei Mikhailovic says he’s ready to cause the biggest boxing boilover of 2024 in his unified middleweight world title challenge against fearsome Kazakh puncher Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly.

The No Limit promoted Mikhailovic (21-0, 13KOs) takes on the WBO and IBF 160-pound world champion Janibek (15-0, 10KOs) on July 13 in Las Vegas.

It’s a fight many other middleweights have flat out refused to take, but Mikhailovic is adamant on causing an upset.

“At the end of the day, Janibek is just another guy, another test on my way to greatness,” he said of the bout, which will be shown on Main Event and Kayo in Australia.

“Others will say this is a big deal, but to me, this is fate. I was born for this.

Mikhailovic celebrates his win over Les Sherrington in April. Picture: Supplied, No Limit Boxing

“Since day one, I have planned to dominate, take over, and control my destiny.

“I train relentlessly, eat right, and always maintain a warrior’s mindset, so I don’t need any extra motivation because the two belts are on the line.”

After turning pro in 2018, Mikhailovic captured regional WBO and IBF titles in 2022, and most recently stopped Les Sherrington in the first round on the Nikita Tszyu vs Danilo Creati undercard in Sydney in April.

Mikhailovic had been preparing to fight Germany’s Denis Radovan in an IBF world title eliminator, but the bout fell over twice, allowing the 26-year-old to head straight into a world title fight.

“We had an eliminator, but for the second time, the opponent pulled out,” Mikhailovic’s coach, Isaac Peach told this masthead in April. “We were scheduled for December 16, but it fell over. They rescheduled for May 11 and it fell over again.

“I think we can bypass the eliminator and go straight to Janibek for the world title”

Janibek is one of the most feared fighters on the planet. Picture: Steve Marcus/Getty Images

Janibek holds two titles and is the consensus best middleweight on the planet.

“Janibek is the best middleweight in the world and willing to fight anyone in that division,” said Bob Arum, whose Top Rank is promoting the event alongside No Limit. “Mikhailovich is a hungry, undefeated contender, and he is coming from New Zealand to shake up the title picture.”

A 2016 Olympian, Janibek first won the WBO interim title in 2022 and unified with a savage sixth round TKO win over Vincenzo Gualtieri last year.

“I look forward to defending my world titles, and I must give Andrei Mikhailovich a lot of credit,” Janibek said. “The other world middleweight champions refused the challenge, and he stepped up to the plate.

“On July 13 in Las Vegas, I will show the world ‘Qazaq Style’ again.

“The road to undisputed continues, and Mikhailovich is in my way.”

A win would see Mikhailovic join WBO interim heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker as New Zealand’s only male world champions.

Meanwhile, Janibek already has his eyes on becoming undisputed middleweight champion with potential fights against Erislandy Lara and Carlos Adames.

Originally published as ‘I was born for this’: Andrei Mikhailovic eyeing up biggest boxing boilover of 2024