The mystery behind Zanibek Alimhanuly's dual championship triumph

Rewritten Article:

Meirym Nurzultanov and Janibek Alimkhanuly: Navigating the Pro Boxing World

Hear directly from Kazakh boxing sensation Meirym Nurzultanov, a rising star with a record of 20-0, 11 KO, on the YouTube channel "Birinshi Bol," as he shares his thoughts about the accomplishments of WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KO). This discussion was reported by Liter.kz, with references to Sports.kz.

Previously, Nurzultanov had been designated as the mandatory challenger for a bout against WBC champion Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KO).

Q: Though you've fought more bouts, Alimkhanuly already sports two belts. What sets your paths to the championship apart?

A: Alimkhanuly benefits tremendously from his strong promoter – Top Ranking. He's a world champion in amateurs. All these factors matter. I haven't got that kind of result (world champion), so I became a professional to snag a championship title.

Dive Deeper:

Janibek Alimkhanuly's Rise to Elite Boxing Status

Discover how Alimkhanuly maintained his two world championship belts after defeating the Frenchman

Alimkhanuly Challenges Bentley Again

Explore the rematch between Alimkhanuly and Bentley

Is Alimkhanuly's Title Run in Trouble?

Gain insights into the potential threats jeopardizing Alimkhanuly's belts

Alimkhanuly's Next Opponent

Find out who the next challenger for Alimkhanuly's titles could be

In the world of boxing, Nurzultanov and Alimkhanuly represent distinct paths to championship fame. Let's delve into their individual journeys and ponder the factors shaping their progress.

Background & Amateur Careers

Janibek Alimkhanuly (KAZ):
Amateur Accolades: 2013 AIBA World Champion and 2016 Olympian.
Pro Debut: Stepped into the pro ring in 2016 under Top Rank, building on his elite amateur reputation.
Meirym Nurzultanov (KAZ):
Amateur Triumphs: 2017 Asian Championships gold medalist and Commonwealth Games competitor.
Pro Breakthrough: Entered the professional scene in 2018, fighting predominantly in Kazakhstan and China.

Promotional Backing

Janibek:
Top Rank Partnership: Signed with the world’s leading promoter post-2016, ensuring consistent exposure on ESPN/ESPN+.
High-Level Exposure: Featured in major undercard bouts (e.g., Lomachenko cards) to elevate his brand.
Meirym:
Limited Promotional Reach: Spent his early days fighting for smaller promoters like China’s Zovi Boxing and MTK Global (now defunct).
Asia-focused Beginnings: Kicked off his pro career in Asia, resulting in limited visibility compared to Janibek’s U.S.-centric path.

Title Progression

Janibek:
WBO Global Champion (2019): Sought regional titles to climb rankings.
WBO Middleweight Champion (2022–present): Claimed the interim belt in 2021, later elevated to a full championship. Defended against Steven Butler and Denzel Bentley.
Unified Title Goals: Aspirations of challenging undisputed status fueled by Top Rank's marketing.
Meirym:
WBO Global Middleweight Champion (2021): Similar regional title, albeit a slower climb.
Current Status: Remains a contender, still chasing a world title shot.

Style & Marketability

Janibek:
"Qazaq Style" Identity: Known for his aggressive southpaw stance, earning recognition as an action fighter.
Media Hype: Top Rank promotes him as the "new Gennady Golovkin," emphasizing the Kazakh boxing heritage.
Meirym:
Technical Approach: Offers a more nuanced, less flamboyant style, relying on fundamentals.
Minimal Marketing: Lacks the extensive promotional storytelling enjoyed by Janibek.

Key Differences

Promotional Clout: Top Rank’s vast resources propelled Janibek’s title victories, whereas Meirym’s progression was hindered by unstable representation.
Amateur Fame: Janibek’s Olympic pedigree supplied instant credibility, while Meirym’s regional amateur achievements required further validation.
Timing: Janibek entered the pro ranks earlier, capitalizing on Golovkin’s midweight reign to position himself as a successor.

Future Prospects

Janibek: On track to unify titles if Top Rank successfully secures matchups with Jermall Charlo or Erislandy Lara.
Meirym: Needs a significant promotional powerhouse (e.g., Matchroom/DAZN) to secure a world title eliminator.

Both boxers represent Kazakhstan's boxing reemergence, but their paths to the championship echo differing narratives shaped by promotional strategy and amateur prestige.

Despite having fewer professional fights, Janibek Alimkhanuly's path to the championship differs from Meirym Nurzultanov's due to Alimkhanuly's strong promoter - Top Ranking and his world championship status in amateurs.
Janibek Alimkhanuly, with his elaborate promotional backing and Olympic pedigree, has been able to secure multiple world championship belts, while Meirym Nurzultanov, with limited promotional reach and Asia-focused career beginnings, is still striving to become a world champion.
In terms of style and marketability, Janibek Alimkhanuly, with his aggressive southpaw stance and extensive promotional storytelling, has gained recognition as an action fighter and the "new Gennady Golovkin," while Meirym Nurzultanov offers a more technical approach and lacks the same level of media hype.