The World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered negotiations for the vacant super middleweight title between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Jacob Bank.
- The WBO 168-pound title became vacant after Hamzah Sheeraz (24-0-1, 19 KOs) decided not to proceed with his championship defense against Alimkhanuly and relinquished the belt.
The organization made the order on Tuesday, stating that “parties have until October 7 at 4:00 p.m. AST to reach an agreement.”
Former unified middleweight champion Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) of Kazakhstan hasn’t fought since last May, when he stopped Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round.
If negotiations succeed, the Oxnard, California-based southpaw will return to the ring and look to become a two-division champion. The 33-year-old relinquished his WBO 160-pound title in July after being stripped of his IBF title in March due to violations.
Denmark’s Bank (20-0, 11 KOs) has won three fights this year, having defeated Pawel Augustynik by unanimous decision in his previous bout on the undercard of Joshua vs Prenga in July.
The 25-year-old, who held the division’s WBO “Global” title, is ranked No. 3 by the organization (as of August 2026).
- The No. 2 spot is held by Diego Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs), who is expected to face Darius Fulghum (15-1-1, 13 KOs) on November 14.