WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has rejected Hamzah Sheeraz’s allegations of corruption after Janibek Alimkhanuly was installed as mandatory challenger for Sheeraz’s WBO super middleweight title.
Sheeraz criticized the decision after Alimkhanuly, a former unified middleweight champion, was elevated into the mandatory position at 168 pounds despite never having fought in the division. Alimkhanuly had also previously failed a VADA anti-doping test ahead of his scheduled unification fight with Erislandy Lara.
“What the WBO have done here - to me, it’s corrupt,” Sheeraz said, arguing that the ruling appeared to be influenced by personal relationships. Olivieri strongly denied that accusation. “I respectfully but unequivocally disagree with his assertions, particularly any suggestion of ‘corruption,’ improper ‘motives,’ or decisions influenced by ‘personal relationships,’” he said.
Olivieri explained that Alimkhanuly’s anti-doping case differed from situations where a positive test was connected to a completed championship fight. He also noted that Alimkhanuly was a first-time offender, cooperated with the disciplinary process and presented medical evidence that the WBO considered when later modifying his suspension.
The WBO president also pointed to the organization’s precedent of giving former champions preferential consideration when moving divisions. Keyshawn Davis was cited as one example after being ranked No. 1 at welterweight and eventually named mandatory despite not previously competing at 147 pounds.
Olivieri argued that Alimkhanuly had a stronger case for the mandatory position than unbeaten Jacob Bank because of his achievements at middleweight, including holding the WBO and IBF titles. The WBO maintains that Alimkhanuly’s disciplinary case was concluded once his suspension ended and therefore did not prevent him from receiving mandatory status.
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