The promotional representatives of Janibek Alimkhanuly and Hamzah Sheeraz have failed to reach an agreement before the recently-extended deadline which has resulted in the WBO ordering a purse bid hearing to occur for November 18.
Kazakhstani unified [WBO & IBF] middleweight (160 lbs) champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO’s) is currently represented by US-based promotion Top Rank, while British WBO-designated mandatory challenger Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KO’s) falls under Queensberry Promotions.
As of November 8, the WBO officially sent a notice to both fighters and their representatives confirming a purse bid ceremony would be held next week on Monday, November 18:
“On Monday, November 4, 2024, official representatives from both teams filed via email a joint petitioned requesting an extension of the negotiation period to reach an agreement,” The WBO’s official letter states. “Having this Committee granted the request, the camps had until Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (AST) to reach an accord or purse bid proceedings would follow.
“Having the parties unable to reach an agreement as ordered, this Committee shall proceed with purse bid proceedings pursuant to the WBO Rules and Regulations of World Championship Contests.“
As both promotions failed to successfully negotiate a bout between Alimkhanuly and Sheeraz despite being granted an extension to reach an agreement, the WBO has decided to move on to purse bid hearings that will be arranged in Puerto Rico next week. A failure by either promotion to attend and bid to secure the rights to promote the fight will be met with heavy consequences, with the incumbent champion set to lose their title or the mandatory challenger poised to lose both their ranking and mandatory status with the WBO.
The negotiations had been expected to be completed amicably due to the positive existing relationship between both promotions’ chairmen; Frank Warren [head of Queensberry Promotions] and Bob Arum [co-founder of Top Rank]. However, this cordial partnership between the two promotional heads has not culminated in substantial progress during these negotiations.
This relationship will be further tested during the upcoming November 18 purse bid hearing that will require both promotions to bid to secure the rights to promote the upcoming fight. With the minimum acceptable bid set at $200,0000, both promotions will have to spend a substantial amount money that they could have otherwise avoided by reaching an agreement.
It is still unclear what the exact circumstances are that led to the deadline not being met, but Janibek Alimkhanuly has forwarded his own theory that provides an image of present affairs.
“I don’t know what’s going on with Sheeraz!” The unified 160 lbs champion posted on Twitter/X. “If he doesn’t want to fight then he should say so and refuse! You will move on!“
Alimkhanuly’s suggestions that Hamzah Sheeraz is hesitant to face him helps paint a clearer picture of the situation and indicates that Queensberry Promotions might be hesitant to match their fighter with the Kazakhstani champion.
In prior weeks, Alimkhanuly had questioned and voiced his frustration regarding the process of negotiations between the two promotions and inquired into mostly Queensberry and Sheeraz.
If the purse bids are to commence, Alimkhanuly will be met with highly favorable splits of 75-25 or 80-20 depending on where the fight is staged.
