Kazakhstan Boxers Aim to Win All World Boxing Titles

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, October 18, 2023 (Newswire.com) - On October 15, a fight for the IBF world middleweight boxing champion title took place in the United States. The Kazakh athlete Zhanibek Alimkhanuly won by technical knockout. It is worth noting that the opponent of the boxer from Kazakhstan was Vincenzo Gualtieri, representing Germany, who had never lost a single fight before in his eight-year career as a professional boxer. Out of 21 meetings, Gualtieri ended seven by knocking out his opponents. But Alimkhanuly managed to interrupt his victorious march and take away the IBF Champion title.

As noted by Kenes Rakishev, the President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, Zhanibek spent 15 fights over the seven years of his professional boxing career, of which he did not lose a single one and finished 10 fights by knockout. In addition to the new title, last year Zhanibek Alimkhanuly won the world champion belt in one of the most prestigious versions - WBO.

“Thus, out of the four main world belts, our country already has two. Even greater goals await us together - to collect all the most honorable world titles,” said Kenes Rakishev, following the results of Kazakhstan’s victory. Kazakhstan Boxing Federation and Kenes Rakishev personally will support the fighter at the stage of preparation and fight for new titles.

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly himself also agreed with Rakishev, following the results of the last fight, declaring his desire to acquire the WBC and WBA titles. He posted this on his social media account X right away after the victory. 

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev himself responded to his compatriot’s victory, congratulating the new champion. “Zhanibek once again demonstrated to the whole world the beauty and power of the Kazakh boxing style. Your victory will motivate young Kazakhstanis to achieve results. I wish you happiness, health and new heights in sports!” - the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote in response on his X network account (formerly Twitter).

After a not very successful performance at the Asian Games in China, this victory is especially valuable for Kazakh boxers. Following the results of the Asian Championship held in the first half of October, Rakishev sent an appeal to the International Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Association. But this did not stop athletes from Kazakhstan from continuing to conquer the highest levels on the podium of world boxing. Already in February next year, the fight for new titles will unfold and Kazakhstan has a good chance to collect all the world boxing belts.

For information:

The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation was established in 1959 as a successor of the Kazakhstan Boxing Section founded in 1941. In 1992, the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation became an AIBA member and joined the Asian Boxing Confederation.

Today the national team of Kazakhstan takes first place in the IBA ranking http://setopen.sportdata.org/ibaranking/ranking_main_country.php#ranking

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly – the World champion 2013 (as a part of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation national team), Asian Games champion 2014 (as a part of Kazakhstan Boxing Federation national team), WBO champion 2022 (as a professional boxer).

Source: Kazakhstan Boxing Federation