Janibek Alimkhanuly out of unified middleweight world title fight with Andrei Mikhailovich in Las Vegas after being hospitalised

Russian-born Kiwi Andrei Mikhailovich’s world title hopes are dashed after medical emergency causes his opponent to withdraw from bout.

Janibek Alimkhanuly (L) and Andrei Mikhailovich (R) were preparing to go face-to-face. Picture: Top Rank/Mikey Williams

Andrei Mikhailovich’s world title dreams are in tatters after his world champion opponent Janibek Alimkhanuly pulled out of their unified middleweight world title fight in Las Vegas this weekend after being hospitalised during his weight cut.

Russian-born Kiwi Mikhailovich, who is promoted by No Limit, has been in Las Vegas for a week in preparation for the WBO and IBF world title showdown.

One of the most fearsome punchers in the world, Janibek was rushed to hospital in the final hours of his weight cut.

“Janibek was cutting the final pounds last night when he fainted,” Janibek’s manager, Egis Klimas said. “We immediately took him to Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he was put on an IV.

“While the scans showed no kidney damage, he was severely dehydrated and in no condition to fight.”

Janibek fainted while cutting the last few pounds. Picture: Steve Marcus/Getty Images

A devastated Mikhailovich was still in shock when he posted his response to the news to social media.

“There’s no easy way to say this, but my fight’s off,” he said. “I came all the way to Vegas just to find out this morning that my fight’s off because he couldn’t make weight and he had to be hospitalised.

“There’s lots you can do in this situation, you could be a real prick about it, or you can not be.

“All I’m going to say is thank you for all the love and support I’ve felt around the world. Thank you to my family, my gym and my sponsors.

“I don’t know what the future holds right now. I’m just going to keep staying positive and doing my job.

“That’s all I can say about that.”

Mikhailovich at the press conference this week. Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Mikhailovich is ranked third with the IBF, and his team will push for the 26-year-old to get a title shot in the future.

“We never want fighters to place themselves at risk, however it’s hard not to be disappointed when experienced fighters fail to make weight for such big fights,” No Limit CEO George Rose said.

“We will be doing everything in our powers to ensure he gets his shot. We’ll be petitioning the IBF to make sure that happens.”

The ultra-confident Mikhailovich is unbeaten in 21 fights, most recently scoring an impressive first round knockout of Les Sherrington on the Nikita Tszyu vs Danilo Creati undercard in Sydney in April.

He was a big underdog against 15-0 knockout artist Janibek, but proved he was at home on the big stage after stealing the show at Friday’s press conference.

The lightweight fight between Raymond Muratalla and Tevin Farmer, which was scheduled as the co-main, has been elevated to the new main event.

Farmer is a former two-weight world champion, winning the IBF super-featherweight title over Billy Dib in Sydney in 2018.

Originally published as Janibek Alimkhanuly out of unified middleweight world title fight with Andrei Mikhailovich in Las Vegas after being hospitalised