Sheeraz Ordered To Face Alimkhanuly By WBO

WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz has been ordered to face former unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in his next outing, according to ESPN.

The mandate from the sanctioning body sets up a clash between the rising British titleholder and the Kazakh standout, who held three of the four major middleweight straps before moving up to 168 pounds.

What Alimkhanuly Brings To Super Middleweight

Alimkhanuly vacated his middleweight titles earlier this year to pursue opportunities in the loaded super middleweight division. The southpaw technician brings an unbeaten record and credentials from his time as a three-belt champion at 160 pounds.

Sheeraz captured the WBO super middleweight title with a dominant stoppage win and has positioned himself as one of the division's most dangerous punchers. The WBO's directive means his first defense will come against a fighter who held unified status at the lower weight class.

Neither camp has publicly commented on the order. The WBO typically gives both sides a window to negotiate terms before ordering purse bids.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Sheeraz ordered to face Alimkhanuly by WBO