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WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly made it easy for Steven Butler on Saturday night in Stockton, California. Main eventing an ESPN Top Rank card, Alimkhanuly-Butler, wasn’t much of a contest, though the finale came quickly and violently. The 32-4-1 Canadian Butler never really stood a chance. Though he was able to get past the first, a thunderous 14-0 uppercut from Alimkhanuly in the second was the beginning of the end. Alimkhanuly followed up his powerful punch with a series of punches that put Butler on the mat.
Butler got up, but was later knocked down again. The man bravely got to his feet once more and tried to hold back the incoming champion. It wasn’t enough. Alimkhanuly next knocked out Butler with less than thirty seconds left in the round. It was a stellar performance from the Kazakh champion, although as a middleweight he could conceivably face stiffer competition from Butler. Alimkhanuly himself was clearly aware of this fact, as he addressed directly the men he wants to face in the future following Saturday’s win. «Boxing champions and superstars, where are you?» he said. «I’m waiting. Fight.»
Alimkhanuly then expressed his belief that the best competition out there is not interested in facing him. «I’m the most avoided boxer,» he said. “I’m the middleweight king. Come on, let’s fight. Top Rank, who’s next? The WBO champion then personally called two of the greatest individuals in the fighting game. «Canelo and Charlo,» he said. «I’m on my way. I’m ready for anyone, anytime, anywhere. Alimkhanuly may have to wait before facing WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and the great Canelo Alvarez. Charlo hasn’t been able to fight in nearly two years, while Canelo appears to be wanting a rematch with light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol or a fight with super middleweight contender David Benavidez Alimkhanuly, however, doesn’t appear to be going anywhere at the moment.