ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Table of Contents
Visit The Industry’s Best
Handicapping Membership
And KO Your Boxing Picks!
On Saturday, April 5, the undefeated champion Janibek Alimkhanuly will defend his IBF and WBO middleweight titles against the unbeaten challenger Anauel Ngamissengue.
This boxing event, promoted by Top Rank, will take place live from the Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan, the home country of Alimkhanuly.
Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) is considered the top middleweight in the world as he makes his fifth world title fight this weekend. It also marks his first bout in his home country since 2017.
Ngamissengue (14-0, 9 KOs) is a Top 10 middleweight stepping up in competition. This title bout marks his first world title fight. It will also be his first time competing in a 12-round bout.
Not only are both men ranked in the Top 10 for the middleweight division, but they both were also in the 2016 Olympics.
This world title fight is expected to have a 5pm ET ring walk time. The entire main card can be seen on ESPN+.
Let’s take a look at the latest Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Anauel Ngamissengue odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Anauel Ngamissengue predictions.
Anauel Ngamissengue vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly Preview
Check out the latest Anauel Ngamissengue vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly tale of the tape:
| Anauel Ngamissengue | Janibek Alimkhanuly | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 29 | 31 |
| Height | 5’9.5” | 5.11.5” |
| Reach | — | 71.5” |
| Total Fights | 14 | 16 |
| Record | 14-0 | 16-0 |
| Knockouts | 9 | 11 |
| Odds | +450 | -700 |
Anauel Ngamissengue Recent Fights
Anauel Ngamissengue is making his second career fight outside of France. Two years ago, he fought in Poland, and defeated the unbeaten Fiodor Czerkaszyn by majority decision. It was arguably the biggest win of his pro career.
Up to that point, Ngamissengue was fighting opponents to help build up his in-ring confidence, skills, and pad the record. For example, two bouts before the Czerkaszyn fight, Ngamissengue beat an opponent that had an 8-40-5 record.
Following the Czerkaszyn fight, he took on Sandro Jajanidze in June 2024, and won via 3rd round TKO. It was the ninth KO win of his career. His opponent had a 12-32-2 record.
Despite Ngamissengue taking a big step up in competition, the proud fighter made the following comments about this weekend’s clash:
“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. 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.”
Anauel Ngamissengue Odds
The challenger, Anauel Ngamissengue, has very limited betting data. In fact, we can only find two professional fights that have odds listed.
In a 2023 bout, Ngamissengue opened as +610 underdog and closed at a range +700 to +740 odds versus Fiodor Czerkaszyn.
For this upcoming world title fight, Ngamissengue opened at +360 and has seen his line move to a range of +380 to +450 odds. I wouldn’t be surprised if his odds grew by time the boxers walk to the ring.
Janibek Alimkhanuly Recent Fights
Janibek (Zhanibek) Alimkhanuly was a highly decorated amateur boxer before turning pro after the 2016 Olympics. The Kazakhstan fighter captured the WBO interim title in May 2022, after beating Danny Dignum via 2nd round KO. It was an emphatic victory that earned the interim belt.
Alimkhanuly became the full WBO middleweight champ after Demetrius Andrade vacated the title. He was previously ordered to defend the belt versus Alimkhanuly.
Now, as the full WBO champ, Alimkhanuly would make his first title defend against Denzel Bentley. He would go on to win the fight via unanimous decision with the following scores: 116-112, 116-112, 118-110.
Following that win, Alimkhanuly was ordered to face Jaime Munguia and then Liam Smith. However, both challengers decided to pursue other opponents. So, Alimkhanuly would take on Steven Butler on May 2023. It was a quick fight as he won via 2nd round KO.
In October 2023, Alimkhanuly was set to face Vincenzo Gualtieri in a unification bout as the latter held the IBF middleweight belt.
Alimkhanuly would win this fight via 6th round TKO. He battered Gualtieri until the ref stopped the fight.
In his last fight, October 2024, Alimkhanuly successfully defended his belts against Andrei Mikhailovich via 9th round TKO. That was the 11th KO of his career and another example of Alimkhanuly’s power.
Speaking about the upcoming fight, the unified champ made the following comments:
“‘Qazaq 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. Many fighters turned down this opportunity, so I credit Anauel for accepting the challenge. My goal is to become the undisputed champion, and Anauel in my way. The fans in Kazakhstan and everyone watching worldwide will see something special.”
Janibek Alimkhanuly Odds
Janibek Alimkhanuly has a few more fights listed with betting data. The champ opened as a -600 favorite for this weekend’s bout, and has seen his odds increase to a range of -600 to -750 odds.
Alimkhanuly has been a favorite in all of his fights listed with betting odds. His lowest odds were against Rob Brant in 2021, where the champ closed at -275 to -360 odds.
His largest line came against Gonzalo Coria on 2020, where Alimkhanuly closed as a -2000 to -3400 betting favorite.
Anauel Ngamissengue vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly Predictions
Alimkhanuly has all of the advantages for this fight. He’s taller, has a longer reach, is stronger, has the better skillset, and has the championship fight experience.
Ngamissengue has never even fought in a 12-round bout before. Nor has he fought for a world title before. This a huge step up in competition as the French fighter has never even gone past the eighth round due to only competing in one 10-round bout prior to this.
The only question is whether or not Ngamissengue will survive this fight. I don’t think so. I’m taking the champ to do what he does best – beat up and stop his opponent.
Bet: Janibek Alimkhanuly (-700)
Anauel Ngamissengue vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly Prop Bets
As of this writing, the Anauel Ngamissengue vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly prop bets have yet to be released. Check back later this week for our updated predictions of these boxing prop bets.
What’s Next For The Winner?
Janibek Alimkhanuly made it clear in the comments above that he wants to become the undisputed middleweight champion and then most likely try for a mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez.
With that in mind, Alimkhanuly will have to beat the two other world title holders: Carlos Adames (WBC) and Erislandy Lara (WBA). Yet, the current WBO and IBF champ doesn’t feel that either man will give him a proper challenge:
“There are a lot of happenings at middleweight. Hamzah Sheeraz, [Erislandy] Lara and Carlos Adames. Those guys are good, but they are out of our range. They’re not in my capacities.”
Hamzah Sheeraz has a lot of hype and momentum in the division. He was expected to beat Adames for the WBC title in February. Instead, they fought to a Draw. I can see a rematch between the two deciding the winner. Then maybe we can see Lara and Alimkhanuly.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t be surprised if the middleweight division was on a collision course between Sheeraz and Alimkhanuly for the undisputed crown. Right now, I give the edge to Alimkhanuly.
