Alimkhanuly Massive Favorite
Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly is heavily favored to win his biggest professional fight yet by winning the interim WBO middleweight title over Danny Dignum. The boxing odds are pushing a 16-1 line on Alimkhanuly who, like Dignum, has yet to go past round 10 in their careers. To the winner goes a potential title unification bout with Demetrius Andrade.
Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and boxing odds for Alimkhanuly vs Dignum. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.
Alimkhanuly: Kazakhstan’s Next Big Thing
Alimkhanuly may not be a household name yet, but the 29-year-old soon will be. He is set to replace Gennadiy Golovkin as his country’s biggest boxing star. Pardon the cliche, but Alimkhanuly is a student of the game and is avoided by Andrade for a reason.
This man has been boxing since he was six and has dominated in the amateur scene winning several gold medals, including the 2013 World Championships. Alimkhanuly is a southpaw whose strength lies in his ability to slowly pick apart his opponent. He is not exactly a power puncher like David Lemieux, who is also fighting this weekend, but he gets the job done.
Alimkhanuly also loves to read, studies nutrition on his own and is learning to speak English. He also has some showmanship in the ring and shows no fear. While we can say he hasn’t been tested yet, he’s already destroyed Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, two former champions. Get Alimkhanuly on the sportsbook now while he has an affordable line.
Dignum Can Rise to Occasion
Danny Dignum is playing the role of “Rocky” in this one. As a +750 underdog, the Englishman is expected to be overmatched. But don’t tell that to Dignum, who is not short on confidence. Like Alimkhanuly, Dignum is unbeaten. He did go to a draw with Andrey Sirotkin in a fight many thought he lost, but his unblemished record remains intact.
The 30-year-old also has had some success in the amateur stage. He won a bronze medal in the 2013 World Combat games and won 70 of his 85 bouts. However, Dignum has not fought an opponent close to the caliber of Alimkhanuly and he has not fought outside of home soil.
Dignum is also large for the division. At 6-foot, he is usually the bigger boxer in the fight and he uses his size well, though he has plenty of holes that Alimkhanuly could expose. But with an opportunity of a lifetime, Dignum will at least put up a fight.
Alimkhanuly vs Dignum Head-to-Head
Janibek Alimkhanuly and Danny Dignum are both southpaws, although Dignum is two inches taller. Dignum has won more fights, though Alimkhanuly has fought higher level competition and has a higher knockout ratio.
Alimkhanuly vs Dignum Fight Information
- Fight: Alimkhanuly (11-0-0, 7 KOs) vs Dignum (14-0-1, 8 KOs)
- Location: Resorts World Event Center, Las Vegas
- Day/Time: Saturday, 10 p.m. ET
- Alimkhanuly vs Dignum Live Stream: Box Live
Alimkhanuly vs Dignum Betting Lines
Alimkhanuly vs Dignum Prediction
Bet boxing lines on Alimkhanuly to get this one done. His current line is actually decent considering he is levels above Dignum. For a better return, you can take Alimkhanuly to win by a knockout at -335 as he will find a way to pick Dignum apart and eventually finish him.
But the best value here is the under 7½ rounds. Alimkhanuly has destroyed all of his last five opponents, with former champions N’Jikam and Brant only making it to the eighth round. As tough as Dinum is, he does not have the skills to hang with Alimkhanuly and will have to be saved by the seventh round.
