Janibek against Liam Smith is mandated by the WBO

The WBO sanctioning board has ordered unbeaten middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) to face top rival Liam “Beefy” Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) in his next title defense. Before a purse bid on March 14th of 2023, the two parties have 20 days to reach an agreement.

Smith, however, won't be allowed to accept the WBO-ordered bout against Janibek since he has a rematch scheduled with Chris Eubank Jr. for May or June of 2023.

Previously Smith knocked out Eubank Jr. in the fourth round of their bout on January 21 in Manchester, England, and Eubank Jr. has already invoked the rematch clause.

“Beefy” Smith, 34, won't be too disappointed that he didn't receive a championship opportunity against WBO middleweight champion Janibek since the money he'll get from his rematch with Eubank Jr. would be fantastic. In addition, Liam does not want to face Janibek at 160.

It is also worth saying that Smith wants a championship chance against Gennadiy Golovkin, the WBA middleweight champion, which would be a fight that generates a lot more interest in the UK and perhaps pays far more than a battle against Janibek.

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