Kazakh boxer Zhanibek Alimkhanuly has responded to comments made by WBO world middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz regarding their potential bout, reports infohub.kz.
Earlier, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered Sheeraz to defend his title against Alimkhanuly, who is ranked second in the organization's ratings. The Briton criticized this decision, reminding of the doping situation involving the Kazakhstani.
In response, Alimkhanuly urged the reigning champion to agree to the fight and prove his superiority in the ring.
"Why doesn't he just say, 'Let's fight!'? This is sport! If you call yourself a champion, prove it. Come out and fight the best, show everyone what you're really made of. Don't sit on a podcast whining and complaining—get in the ring and fight!" Alimkhanuly wrote on social media platform X.
Recall that in December of last year, the Kazakh boxer was suspended for one year after testing positive for meldonium. However, this summer, after a re-review of the case, the WBO decided to lift Alimkhanuly's suspension early.
Now the Kazakh is the official challenger for the WBO title in the middleweight division.