Kazakhstan to have a world boxing title fight in 2026 — media

Photo © Tengrinews.kz / Turar Kazangapov

Tengrinews.kz – World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Gustavo Olivieri has said that Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly will fight unbeaten Dane Jacob Bank for the super middleweight title.

According to the WBO chief, the sides have already reached an agreement, although the final date and venue for the title fight will be announced later.

Later, Bank’s manager Spencer Brown told respected boxing outlet The Ring that the title would be contested in 2026.

“Jacob Bank and Janibek Alimkhanuly have agreed to terms to meet for the vacant WBO super middleweight title,” the outlet reported, citing the manager.

Jacob Bank and Janibek Alimkhanuly have agreed to terms to meet for the vacant WBO super middleweight title in December in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bank’s manager Spencer Brown tells The Ring’s Mike Coppinger. https://t.co/k38IHEEKxT
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) October 7, 2026

Alimkhanuly’s team has not yet commented on the decision. However, shortly before the WBO president announced that negotiations had been completed, the Kazakh boxer posted a message on social media indicating that he is ready to fight for the belt anywhere.

“I don’t care where the fight is or who it’s against. I fight! I just want this title. I’ll fight for this belt on the Moon or at the bottom of the ocean. I don’t care! My opponent could even be an alien, I don’t care. Just put the title on the line!” the boxer wrote on Instagram.

In response to our inquiry, Alimkhanuly’s manager said that the date and venue have not yet been officially confirmed.

Who is Jacob Bank?

The 25-year-old Dane is seven years younger than Janibek Alimkhanuly, but has already had 20 professional fights. Eleven of them ended in stoppage victories.

The biggest fight of the Dane’s career took place in early 2026. Bank knocked out experienced Cuban William Scull in the 12th round and took the WBO Global belt from him. Before facing Bank, the same Cuban had gone the full 12 rounds against Canelo.

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As a reminder, Alimkhanuly last fought in April 2025. At a tournament in Astana, he knocked out France’s Anauel Ngamissengue.

Janibek was then supposed to fight Erislandy Lara for a third middleweight title, but the bout was canceled because of a doping scandal. The Kazakh boxer eventually served a suspension and moved up to a heavier weight division.

Former WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz vacated the title after Alimkhanuly was named the mandatory challenger.