Zhanibek Alimkhanuly named Mandatory Challenger for WBO super-middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz

Hamzah Sheeraz and Janibek Alimkhanuly given 20 days to agree terms

Undefeated WBO World super-middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz (24-0-1, 19 KOs) has been ordered to defend his title to the newly designated mandatory contender, Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs).

Denmark's Jacob Bank (20-0, 11 KOs) petitioned to become the mandatory challenger, but was denied after a hearing took place to decide between the Dane and the Kazakh.

The Committee

The WBO World Championship Committee (the “Committee”), having carefully reviewed and considered the respective written submissions presented on behalf of Mr. Jacob Bank and Mr. Zhanibek Alimkhanuly concerning the designation of the Mandatory Challenger for the WBO Super Middleweight World Championship, hereby issues this Resolution:

The Committee recognizes that both fighters are accomplished professional boxers who have established legitimate claims to consideration for a WBO World Championship opportunity, although their respective claims arise from substantially different competitive histories.

Bank’s position is principally based upon his activity, his tenure as a WBO Regional Champion, his successful defenses, his victories over accomplished opposition, and his continued progress within the WBO rankings.

Alimkhanuly’s position is based upon his undefeated professional record, his former status as WBO World Champion, his successful consecutive WBO World Championship defenses, his unification of the Middleweight Division, his level of opposition, his championship experience, and his current eligibility and classification in the Super Middleweight Division.

Team Alimkhanuly argued that Mr. Alimkhanuly's credentials substantially exceed those of Mr. Bank.

The Arguments

Jacob Bank - WBO Regional Champion and WBO-ranked contender

• Undefeated
• Bank has held the WBO Regional Championship (Global) since November 23, 2024
• Successfully defended that championship on three occasions
• Two of those defenses resulted in knockout victories over accomplished opponents Tyron Zeuge and William Scull
• William Scull is a former recognized World Champion, having held the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship.
• Tyron Zeuge, while an accomplished professional boxer with a distinguished career, has not won a World Championship recognized by any of the four major sanctioning organizations
• Team Bank further represented that Bank most recently secured a convincing victory over Pawel August.
• It was further submitted that August entered that contest following his victory over Simon Zachenhuber, who had himself competed for a World Championship.

Janibek Alimkhanuly - Former WBO World Champion & WBO-ranked contender

• Undefeated
• WBO World Champion beginning in 2022
• Successfully defended the WBO Middleweight World Championship five times
• Defeated IBF World Champion Vincenzo Gualtieri to unify the Middleweight Division
• Defeated additional accomplished opponents including Rob Brant and Denzel Bentley
• Greater championship experience and level of opposition
• The WBO practice recognizes the special status of a former WBO World Champion moving into a higher weight division
• WBO Ratings Committee had ranked Alimkhanuly ahead of Bank in the Super Middleweight Division
• Alimkhanuly no longer suspended and eligible to be considered for Mandatory Challenger designation

The Decision

Considering the totality of the circumstances, including Mr. Alimkhanuly's undefeated record, former WBO World Championship status, unified WBO/IBF Championship achievement, five successful WBO World Championship defenses, quality of opposition, current WBO ranking, and the longstanding WBO practice concerning elite World Champions moving between divisions, the Committee finds that Mr. Alimkhanuly is the highest classified available boxer who, in the judgment if the Committee, best satisfies the criteria established under Section 6.

Mandatory Challenger Designation: Zhanibek Alimkhanuly is hereby designated as the mandatory challenger for the WBO World super-middleweight championship, currently held by Hamzah Sheeraz.

The Suspension

MR. ALIMKHANULY'S PRIOR DISCIPLINARY MATTER: Prior to his suspension, Mr. Alimkhanuly fully cooperated with the WBO investigative and administrative process.

He submitted the relevant medical documentation and information in support of his defense. The Committee considered that Mr. Alimkhanuly was a first-time offender, had an otherwise impeccable personal and professional record, and had not previously failed an anti-doping test or violated WBO Rules.

The Committee does not minimize the seriousness of an anti-doping violation. The integrity of professional boxing requires strict compliance with the WBO's anti-doping standards.

At the same time, the Committee must administer its disciplinary authority fairly and proportionately and must recognize when a participant has satisfied the conditions imposed as a consequence of a disciplinary determination.

Mr. Alimkhanuly complied with the conditions established by the Committee. Following his compliance with the conditions imposed by the Committee, Mr. Alimkhanuly submitted a formal petition to the World Championship Committee requesting review of his status.

The Committee assessed his compliance, reviewed the documentation submitted, and determined that he had fully satisfied the applicable conditions imposed upon him.

Accordingly, Mr. Alimkhanuly's suspension was terminated effective July 10, 2026. This determination restored Mr. Alimkhanuly's eligibility for consideration under the WBO Regulations, subject to all continuing WBO obligations.

The termination of the suspension did not erase the underlying disciplinary matter, nor did it constitute a finding that the violation had not occurred. Rather, it constituted the Committee's determination that the disciplinary consequences and conditions previously imposed upon Mr. Alimkhanuly had been satisfied.

The Committee therefore finds no regulatory basis to treat Mr. Alimkhanuly as presently suspended.