Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank Agree to WBO Super Middleweight Title Fight
Former unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly will fight unbeaten Jacob Bank for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.
Janibek Alimkhanuly has his path to a second divisional title.
The former unified middleweight champion will face unbeaten Danish fighter Jacob Bank for the vacant WBO super middleweight championship after both camps reached an agreement, per WBO president Gustavo Olivieri. Olivieri confirmed on X on Wednesday that the sanctioning body received formal written notice from both sides that terms were settled without a purse bid.
The belt opened up after Hamzah Sheeraz vacated rather than face Alimkhanuly, the WBO's top-ranked contender at 168 pounds. The WBO had initially ordered negotiations between Alimkhanuly and Bank, who is ranked third.
Alimkhanuly, a southpaw from Kazakhstan, held unified titles at 160 pounds before moving up in weight. A victory over Bank would make him a two-division champion, a rare accomplishment that would cement his status as one of the most skilled fighters in the sport.
Bank brings an unblemished record of 20 wins, 11 by stoppage, into the biggest fight of his career. The Dane has stayed active with three wins already in 2026 and represents a legitimate test, though he has not faced anyone near Alimkhanuly's level.
A date and venue have not yet been announced. The fight figures to draw attention as one of the more intriguing matchups at 168 pounds, a division that has been searching for star power since Canelo Alvarez's grip on the weight class loosened.
This is exactly the kind of fight that should excite boxing fans who care about skill over spectacle. Janibek is one of the most technically gifted fighters on the planet, a southpaw with timing, power, and the kind of ring intelligence that makes opponents look ordinary. Sheeraz vacating instead of fighting him tells you everything you need to know about how the division views him.
Bank is unbeaten and active, which counts for something, but the jump in competition here is massive. Eleven stoppages in 20 fights is solid, not spectacular, and nothing in his resume suggests he is ready for what Alimkhanuly brings. I expect the Kazakh to handle this inside the distance.
The bigger story is what comes after. If Alimkhanuly wins, and I think he will, the 168-pound division finally has a champion worth building around. A two-division titleholder with his skill set deserves the big fights.
