Unbeaten super-middleweight star Janibek Alimkhanuly has launched a scathing assault on British world champion Hamzah Sheeraz, ordering the Queensberry fighter to vacate his WBO title.
Sheeraz has until the close of play today (Thursday 10th September) to agree terms for a showdown with number one ranked contender Alimkhanuly, or run the threat of being relinquished of his belt.
Whilst no progress appears to have been made following talks between the two teams, Alimkhanuly has now taken matters into his own hands, telling the Briton to either put up or shut up.
Sheeraz has previously spoken of his desire to face the Kazakh who hasn't fought since being found guilty of taking an illegal substance in the build-up to his clash with middleweight rival Erislandy Lara last December.
At the time, the 33-year-old was in possession of the WBO and IBF belts, both of which he was eventually forced to surrender.
However, he is now free to resume his boxing career and has been granted mandatory position for a shot at Sheeraz's 168lbs WBO belt; an opportunity he doesn't seem keen to wait around for.
"He’s dragged this out way too long. If he wants the fight, then say it and make it happen," Alimkhanuly posted on X.
"If he doesn’t want to fight, he needs to vacate the title. I don’t have time to waste!"
Whilst the ultimatum has piled the pressure on Sheeraz and his promoter Frank Warren, a failure to agree terms isn't expected to culminate in the WBO stripping him of his title.
Instead, purse bids are expected to be place for a fight that many are disputing should even be taking place given Alimkhanuly's misdemeanours outside of the ring.
Queensberry would however be at risk of losing promotional control of the event should they be out bid by US-based Top Rank, who promote Alimkhanuly.
