Alimkhanuly Set to Face Bank for Vacant WBO Super Middleweight Title

Janibek Alimkhanuly is set to face Jacob Bank for the vacant WBO super middleweight championship on January 23, 2027, in Denmark.

The bout is scheduled to take place at the Forum in Horsens, Denmark. The WBO super middleweight title is vacant because former champion Hamzah Sheeraz chose to vacate it.

Janibek Alimkhanuly enters the bout as the WBO No. 1-ranked contender at super middleweight. The undefeated fighter from Zhilandy, Kazakhstan, carries a professional record of 17-0 with 12 knockouts.

Jacob Bank is the WBO No. 3-ranked contender at the weight. The Danish fighter, who is from Kolding, holds a record of 20-0 with 11 knockouts.

Bank’s most significant victory is a 12-round stoppage win over former super middleweight champion William Scull in January.

In late September, the WBO ordered negotiations to begin between Alimkhanuly and Bank.

Alimkhanuly received a one-year suspension from the WBO for a positive PED test last December. While suspended, he was stripped of his IBF title and vacated the WBO title to move up to super middleweight.

Promoters Kasper Holgersen of Primetime Boxing and Spencer Brown of Goldstar Promotions reached an agreement with Bob Arum of Top Rank earlier this month to forego a purse bid. The bout will be broadcast live on DAZN. Alimkhanuly’s suspension is scheduled to officially expire on December 2.

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