Shakiel Thompson knows victory over Hamisi Maya could lead to Janibek Alimkhanuly

The middleweight contender Shakiel Thompson hopes his return to the ring next month could lead to a shot at the WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.

The 13-0 (9 KOs) Thompson, from Sheffield, England, boxes the Filipino-based Tanzanian Hamisi Maya, 17-5-1 (14 KOs), on February 7 at the city’s Canon Medical Arena. Thompson is ranked ninth with the WBO, and negotiations have reportedly begun to pair him with the champion for the Kazakh’s homecoming in the spring.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring next month and I am looking forward to a big year ahead with some big opportunities,” Thompson said. “Becoming world champion has always been my dream and I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with some big names in due course. 

“Right now, the next challenge for me is on February 7th in my home city of Sheffield, where I’ll be looking to make a statement.”

Thompson-Maya is part of the 11-fight GBM promotion overseen by Izzy Asif, who refused to comment on whether a possible fight with Janibek would be made but added: “We are working on some very exciting announcements for 2025.”

“Shakiel Thompson is one of the most avoided men in British boxing right now,” he added. “When we were matching him for this card it seemed a lot of fighters had their phones on silent – and to be fair I understand why. Look at the run he’s on; look at what he did in his last fight.

“He’s about to break out in a big way. Hamisi Maya stepped up and he’s an experienced veteran who is going to give Shakiel some problems to solve but I expect we see another successful operation for Dr Steel in Sheffield on February 7th.”

In the main event of the same promotion, Shakan Pitters boxes the European light-heavyweight champion Daniel dos Santos.