Janibek Alimkhanuly found a new future rival in a previously disinterested challenger.

Hamzah Sheeraz promised the unbeaten IBF and WBO middleweight titlist that they would meet at some point in 2025. Such a bout would represent a battle between the division’s two highest rated fighters.

Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) is No. 1 at middleweight by The Ring; England’s Sheeraz is No. 2.

There remains work to be done for the unbeaten Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs), who next challenges The Ring No. 3 middleweight and WBC titlist Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs).

“I’ll get my business done against Carlos Adames,” Sheeraz told reporters while he and Alimkhanuly were on hand for the Ring Magazine relaunch gala in Riyadh. “Then we will make it happen.”

Adames-Sheeraz is part of the loaded Feb. 22 Riyadh Season show at Kingdom Arena.

Alimkhanuly and Sheeraz were previously ordered to enter talks for a WBO mandatory title fight. Sheeraz had options as the No. 1 contender both with the WBO and WBC.

The unbeaten 25-year old knockout artist opted to pass on the opportunity to challenge Alimkhanukly and instead went the WBC route. The theory was that Sheeraz preferred to win a belt and then face the unbeaten Kazakh in a far more significant fight.

With a win, Sheeraz would bring the WBC title to the table. Alimkhanuly would risk his WBO and IBF belts and the winner would also be crowned The Ring middleweight championship.

Alimkhanuly would make his debut on the Riyadh Season circuit, as Adames will do on Feb. 22. Sheeraz—who has stopped his last 15 opponents—will enter his third straight fight with Riyadh Season branding, in his challenge of Adames.

The plan was sound enough for both fighters to shake on it.

"It’s as simple as that," insisted Sheeraz. "Inshallah.”