Headlining a Top Rank card in Las Vegas on May 21st. The interim WBO middleweight title will be on the line. The current WBO champ at 160lbs is Demetrius Andrade, whom Alimkhanuly was scheduled to challenge before the American opted to move up to super middle gunning for Dignum's countryman, minor belt (WBO international) holder Zachary Parker. This was supposed to happen on the very same date Alimkhanuly vs. Dignum is slotted in for, with the plan being for Andrade if victorious to choose within ten days afterward in which division he wanted to remain - surrendering ranking and belt in the other. He sustained an injury earlier this month, forcing a postponement of that fight and opening the door for a new interim champion to be crowned in his stead. Battle of tall, unbeaten southpaws. Both the Kazakh and the Brit are ranked top 5 in the world by the WBO - at #2 and #4 respectively - and each has a bauble of theirs. Alimkhanuly is the "Global" champ and Dignum the WBO European champion.
Jamel "Semper Fi" Herring vs. Jamaine "The Technician" Ortiz in the co-main event in an experience versus youth crossroads affair.
Had a ***** of time finding a patronymic for Alimkhanuly, btw. If anyone knows it, would be much obliged. He's of an age to have been born with a Russian style patronymic (or "father-name", usually ending in -ovich or -evich; ie the middle G of Triple G), coming into the world just a couple of years after Kazakhstan became independent in the wake of the USSR crumbling, and thus a decade ahead of the cultural sea change where Kazakhstanis began to balk at the custom as symbolizing that thrown-off yoke. Even searching for his name in Cyrillic alphabet on Slavic websites, however, he only turns up anywhere with first and last. If he does have one he has gone to great lengths to hide it. Not surprising, since he is adamant about "Americanizing" himself for maximum marketability (ie spelling his name Janibek here, instead of the proper transliteration of Zhanibek, because it "seems easier" for us dummies )
I'm confused by Dignum claiming to be younger in that interview. Over the past two months he celebrated his 30th birthday while Alimkhanuly hit 29. Maybe he meant ring age, including amateur wear & tear?
