Andrei
Mikhailovich Confident Ahead of Title Clash with Janibek Alimkhanuly
Andrei
Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KO) radiates the confidence of a man who has conquered
his inner struggles and emerged stronger. It’s the belief of someone who
understands his identity, is comfortable in his own skin, and remains unfazed
by external judgments.
On Saturday
night, under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas—boxing’s ultimate stage—the
Russian-born New Zealander will face his toughest test yet against Kazakhstan’s
Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KO) for the WBO and IBF middleweight titles.
Despite the enormity of the moment, Mikhailovich, just 26, refuses to wilt
under pressure.
“I’m not
nervous at all,” Mikhailovich told Boxing Daily. “I’m focused and fully
aware of what’s at stake, but it feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to
be.”
The confident
middleweight even described the occasion in his own unique way:
“It’s like
going to the right party. This feels like my party—like it’s about me, not
anyone else. I’m not just showing up; this is my moment.”
Overcoming a
Frustrating Year
Mikhailovich’s
opportunity against Alimkhanuly comes after a turbulent year in his career.
Initially slated to face Germany’s Denis Radovan in an IBF title eliminator,
the fight fell through after Radovan suffered consecutive injuries. The
prolonged delays forced Mikhailovich into an unexpected hiatus from the ring.
“It was an
incredibly tough year,” Mikhailovich admitted. “I had to learn patience. I kept
training no matter what was happening around me. The gym became my safe space—a
place where I could find peace when everything else in life felt chaotic.”
The 12-month
gap wasn’t wasted. Mikhailovich used the time to refine his craft and mature as
both a fighter and a person. Adopted as a child from a St. Petersburg orphanage
alongside his twin brother, Mikhailovich endured early struggles, including
time in counseling for drug and alcohol issues as a teenager. These
adversities, he says, molded him into the man he is today.
“Looking back,
I probably needed that year to grow up a bit and gain more maturity,” he
reflected. “I’ve faced plenty of dark times in my life, and every time, I’ve
proven people wrong. That’s been my story: people doubt me, and I rise above
it.”
The
Challenge of Alimkhanuly
At the Palm’s
Casino Resort this Saturday, Mikhailovich will step into the ring fully aware
of the challenge ahead. Alimkhanuly’s last fight was a dominant sixth-round
stoppage of Germany’s Vincenzo Gualtieri, where the Kazakh star added the IBF
belt to his WBO crown. Alimkhanuly’s clinical performance left little room for
doubt about his elite status.
But
Mikhailovich isn’t intimidated.
“If you look at
a mountain and think it’s too high to climb, you’ll never start,” he said. “But
if you break it down piece by piece, it doesn’t look so big. Janibek’s a solid
fighter, but he’s just a man like me. He’s got a strong left uppercut, but I’ve
got an even better left hook.”
Thriving as
the Underdog
While
oddsmakers and media pundits heavily favor Alimkhanuly, Mikhailovich thrives in
the role of the underdog.
“I love when
people write me off,” he said with conviction. “When I’m backed into a corner,
that’s when I thrive. It’s fight or flight, and I don’t have flight in me. I
might love aviation, but running isn’t who I am. I’m a fighter. That’s my
calling.”
With an
unshakable mindset, sharp skills, and a hunger to prove himself, Andrei
Mikhailovich believes Saturday night in Las Vegas is his time to shine. Whether
the odds are stacked against him or not, the undefeated contender steps into
the ring confident he has what it takes to leave with his perfect record
intact.