- The WBO has ordered unbeaten Dane Jacob Bank to fight Janibek Alimkhanuly for its vacant super middleweight title, with 15 days to agree terms before a purse bid
- The belt is vacant after Hamzah Sheeraz handed it back rather than defend it against Janibek
- Number two-ranked Diego Pacheco was bypassed, with the WBO naming Bank as the first available contender while Pacheco boxes on November 14
The Belt Sheeraz Gave Back Finds A New Home
Right then. When Hamzah Sheeraz handed back the WBO super middleweight title rather than fight Janibek Alimkhanuly, I said the belt had gone back with a bit of his reputation stuck to it. The question was always who would be brave enough to take the fight he did not want. We have our answer, and it is a 25-year-old from Denmark.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has announced that Jacob Bank and Janibek will meet for the vacant title. The camps have 15 days to agree terms before it goes to purse bids, and the formal written order is on its way.
Be Careful What You Wish For
Here is the delicious bit. When the WBO reinstated Janibek straight to the top of their rankings after his doping suspension, Jacob Bank was one of the loudest voices complaining about it. He said it cheated active contenders who had earned their positions the proper way. Fair point, and plenty agreed with him.
Make no mistake, the WBO have now handed him the chance to prove that argument in the ring. Taking the fight does not cancel the criticism. It just means Bank has to back it up with his fists against the most dangerous man he has ever faced.
What About Pacheco?
Diego Pacheco sits at number two in the WBO rankings, above Bank. He was bypassed entirely, with the WBO calling Bank the first available contender. Why? Because Pacheco already has a fight booked for November 14 on DAZN. Let's not beat around the bush — that booking looks like a team choosing to protect their man rather than jump into the ring with an avoided southpaw. Bank is doing what Pacheco chose not to do, and I respect him for it.
Can Jacob Bank Actually Win?
Bank is unbeaten and he has earned his spot. He stopped a former world champion in the final round in January and knocked out his opponent in five in a WBC eliminator in April. He is quick, he has a sharp jab and good movement, and he has built a proper following back home. Win this and he becomes Denmark's first major world champion at 168lbs in a generation.
The Step Up Is Massive
But the jump in class here is enormous. Jacob Bank has never shared a ring with anyone who has Janibek's southpaw timing, his amateur pedigree, or that straight left hand. If Bank marches forward behind a high guard, Janibek will pick him apart with the left and the counter uppercut.
There is one genuine question mark on the Kazakh, though. He dominated at middleweight, but he is moving up eight pounds and coming off a long layoff. If Bank can take the early fire, keep his feet moving and make it a physical fight on the ropes, he might find out whether Janibek's engine and punch resistance travel up to super middleweight. That is his only real route.
Where Does It Happen?
If the 15 days run out, the purse bid decides the venue and the network. A bid from Janibek's side likely takes Bank to America. A strong bid from Bank's promoter could bring it to Denmark, and a home crowd in a Danish arena would make this a very different night. Watch that space.
The Verdict
I will not sit on the fence. Janibek Alimkhanuly wins by stoppage, somewhere between rounds eight and ten. Bank is brave, he is talented, and he will have good moments early while Janibek is finding the range at the new weight. But the left hand will start landing, the body shots will add up, and Janibek is simply levels above anyone Bank has faced.
Fair play to Jacob Bank, though. He complained, he got his wish, and he is taking the fight. If you know, you know — that is more than some people at this weight can say.