Unified middleweight world champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs), will defend his WBO and IBF titles against Anauel Ngamissengue (14-0, 9 KOs).

The fight will take place on Saturday, 5th April 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan. The newly founded Nomad Promotions will stage the event in association with Top Rank and the fight will be screened on ESPN+ in the United States.

It will be the first world title defence to take place in Kazakhstan in modern history.

Now based in California, Alimkhanuly - who is ranked No.1 by Ring Magazine - hasn’t boxed in his homeland since his second professional fight back which took place back in 2017. It has been an open secret that the 31 year-old southpaw would return home to make a voluntary defence of his titles. In recent weeks, rumours have swirled about who would be in the opposite corner.

Ngamissengue has accepted the challenge.

“Kazakh Style’ is finally coming home. April 5 will be a memorable night as I defend my WBO and IBF world titles against a top opponent,” Janibek said in a press release.

“Many fighters turned down this opportunity, so I credit Anauel for accepting the challenge. My goal is to become the undisputed champion and Anauel is in my way. The fans in Kazakhstan and everyone watching worldwide will see something special.”

Ngamissengue has heavy hands and a glossy record but the undefeated French-Congolese fighter will be taking a monumental step up in levels.

The 29 year-old has only taken part in one scheduled ten round contest and has never ventured beyond eight rounds. His career best victory came in August 2023 when he travelled to Poland and eked out a majority eight round decision over Fiodor Czerkasyn, who was unbeaten in 22 contests beforehand.

He boxed once last year, scoring a third round stoppage of Georgian journeyman, Sandro Jajanidze.

He recently dropped out of the WBO rankings but sits at number seven with the IBF.

"Thank you for this long-awaited opportunity—after almost a year of fighting for a chance, this is the most important moment of my career,” he said.

“I know I’m going into the lion’s den, but I thrive in situations like this. I respect Janibek and everything he’s achieved, but I’m coming to Kazakhstan to crash the party and show the world that I belong at the top. See you on April 5.”

Alimkhaunuly won the WBO interim title with a second round stoppage of Britain’s Danny Dignum back in May 2022. Three months later, he was upgraded to full champion when Demetrius Andrade elected to vacate his belt.

He became the unified champion in October 2023 with a routine sixth round stoppage of Germany’s IBF campion, Vincenzo Gaultieri.

His only appearance since then was a dominant month round stoppage of Andrei Mikhailovich in Sydney, Australia last October. Last July, Alimkhanuly was forced to withdraw from a scheduled title defence against Mikhailovic after he feinted just hours before the weigh in.

Since that scare, he has rededicated himself to unifying the middleweight division and has made no secret of his desire to be involved in the biggest fights and events possible.

Should he get past Ngamissengue, he should get his wish.

Ring Magazine’s number 10 ranked middleweight, Denzel Bentley, is the mandatory challenger for his WBO title but he will also have a close eye on the upcoming WBC title clash between champion, Carlos Adames, 24-1 (18 KOs), and the dangerous Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0 (17 KOs).