After ordering Hamzah Sheeraz to defend his WBO super middleweight title against mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly, the sanctioning body gave both parties until September 10 to come to an agreement.

However, the WBO announced that a deal has not been agreed upon, forcing the organization to arrange a purse bid.

“Please be advised that the WBO has received official confirmation from Queensberry Promotions (Sheeraz’s promoter) and Top Rank (Alimkhanuly’s promoter) that the parties have been unable to reach an agreement within the prescribed negotiation period,” WBO President Gustavo Olivieri wrote on his X account.

“Accordingly, the WBO World Championship Committee will order purse bid proceedings, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (AST), at the WBO Main Offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico.”

Sheeraz (24-0-1, 19 KOs) has said that he doesn't want to defend his belt against Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) , meaning he might elect to vacate the title rather than meet the Kazakhstani in the ring.

Alimkhanuly, who held the IBF and WBO 160-pound titles, was suspended for failing a PED test heading into his unification bout against WBA champion Erislandy Lara last December. The IBF later stripped him of his belt.

The hard-hitting southpaw then decided to move up in weight in July. Once he did, the WBO designated him Sheeraz’s mandatory challenger. It also announced that his year-long suspension was reduced, ending on July 10, after he fulfilled all “requested requirements.”

Sheeraz, the Ring’s No. 9-ranked 168-pounder, believes that Alimkhanuly does not deserve a shot at his title, which he won via second-round stoppage over Alem Begic on May 23. The Brit is hoping to have a unification bout, specifically naming Jamie Munguia, the division’s WBA champion, as a possible opponent.