The tension in the air was palpable on Friday in Rosenberg, Texas, as WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and IBF champ Vincenzo Gualtieri stood toe-to-toe at their official weigh-in. Alimkhanuly tipped the scales at 159.3 lbs, while his German adversary Gualtieri came in at 159.5 lbs. Their face-off, intense and unyielding, stretched on for over a minute, with neither fighter willing to break their gaze.
Ultimately, it was Janibek, with a smug grin, who turned away, appearing somehow victorious. Yet, what was truly striking during the stare-down wasn’t the intensity but the noticeable height disparity. The 6’0″ Alimkhanuly seemed to tower over the 5’10 1/2″ Gualtieri, leading to questions about the listed height.
With a record of 14-0 and 9 KOs, Alimkhanuly is being strategically positioned by Top Rank to ascend to the position of the undisputed champion at 160 lbs. The promotion company foresees him as the next big thing in boxing. But the undefeated Gualtieri (21-0, 7 KOs) will not be an easy obstacle to overcome.
On the co-main event, rising lightweight star Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) made weight at the 135 lbs division limit, while his competitor Nahir Albright (16-2, 7 KOs) weighed in just under at 134.9 lbs. Their ten-round clash is regarded by many as the actual star attraction. Despite Alimkhanuly’s status, Keyshawn’s fame and talent have rapidly grown. The 24-year-old has a vibrant charisma and an exhilarating two-handed boxing style, unlike Alimkhanuly who leans heavily on his left.
Furthermore, heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming bout in Rosenberg. Speaking to ProBox TV, he said, “October 14th in Rosenberg, Texas, on ESPN+. I’m really excited about it.” Rather than obsessing over his opponent’s credentials, Torrez focuses on his own growth. “I’m going in there to try and showcase what Richard Torrez has. I’m going to try and give a performance of my lifetime. It’s not about focusing on the needs of this fighter, but becoming a better boxer myself,” he added.
Saturday promises to be an electrifying night for boxing fans, showcasing both established champions and future stars, as they clash in Texas. Whether Alimkhanuly can solidify his standing or if Davis can further elevate his rising star remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans are in for a treat.
