JANIBEK Alimkhanuly put on a premier performance in Astana, Kazakhstan, brutally dispatching Anauel Ngamissengue in round five. The unified middleweight champion successfully defended his IBF and WBO titles, landing all of the key shots, including two stellar left hands in quick succession to close the show.
It started off badly for brave Ngamissengue, who hit the deck at the close of the opening round. The referee was ready to rule it a slip until the challenger took an extended knee, persuading him to correctly take up the count.
Alimkhanuly has been actively chasing his rival champions, Carlos Adames and Erislandy Lara, both of whom would likely offer more than Ngamissengue, who never wanted for guts but was lacking in world-level ability.
The 29-year-old Congo native was wobbling again, this time from a lead right hook, as the third round ended. Alimkhanuly’s judgement of distance, complemented by a razor-sharp southpaw jab and left uppercut, enabled him to dominate.
In round five, Alimkhanuly landed a fight-changing left hand, followed by a second of epic proportion, snapping back the head of Ngamissengue. Senses scrambled, the French resident fell into the ropes and sank to the canvas, shaking his head.
The referee once again slightly fumbled, but Ngamissengue’s corner had at least seen enough, climbing into the ring to save their man from further punishment. No shame in his display.
Alimkhanuly, meanwhile, is a different animal. The power-punching accuracy separated him here, and it will take a special fighter to beat him; such is the skill and accuracy of his attacks.
Alimkhanuly, 32, improved to 17-0 (12 KOs) while Anauel Ngamissengue, 29, suffered defeat for the first time, dropping to 14-1 (9 KOs).
