Janibek Alimkhanuly Withdraws from Title Defense Due to Dehydration

WBO/IBF middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled title defense against Andrei Mikhailovich this Saturday at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The withdrawal comes after Alimkhanuly was hospitalized Thursday evening due to severe dehydration.

"Janibek was cutting the final pounds last night when he fainted," explained Egis Klimas, Janibek’s manager. "We immediately took him to Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he was put on an IV. Although the scans showed no kidney damage, he was severely dehydrated and in no condition to fight."

As a result, the 10-round lightweight showdown between undefeated contender Raymond Muratalla and former world champion Tevin Farmer has been promoted to the main event. Muratalla-Farmer and the rest of the undercard will be streamed live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.