The resolution, coming at the end of a 19-page ruling issued Thursday, formally designated the former unified 160-pound titleholder as Sheeraz's mandatory challenger while rejecting a request from Jacob Bank for the same.

The sanctioning body's ruling comes just weeks after Alimkhanuly vacated his WBO 160-pound title, opting for a move up in weight.

He was placed as the No. 2 contender for Sheeraz's belt, sitting only behind Canelo Alvarez, who will challenge WBC champion Christian Mbilli on October 31.

The two sides have been given 20 days to agree terms, with a matchup between them potentially taking place this fall. That timeline didn't seem likely given Alimkhanuly's year-long suspension, retroactive to December 2, after failing a pre-fight drug test before a proposed three-belt unification with WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara.

The IBF decided to strip the Kazakh of its belt in March, which Aaron McKenna won with a 12-round decision against Etinosa Oliha on August 8.

In the ruling, Alimkhanuly's suspension was cut short and officially ended on July 10 after meeting specific conditions enforced by the sanctioning body.

"The suspension served its disciplinary purpose. Mr. Alimkhanuly was required to comply with specific conditions, he complied," wrote the WBO in its ruling. "The Committee assessed that compliance. The suspension was terminated effective July 10, 2026."

For Sheeraz (24-0-1, 19 KOs), this decision falls in line with what he wanted most: a big fight. The 27-year-old has been heavily criticized for his last two appearances.

A second-round stoppage of Alem Begic saw him win the vacant title on May 23, before an anticlimactic majority decision win over Simon Zachenhuber on July 25. The Ring's No. 9 super middleweight stressed his desire for a more meaningful opponent next time out.

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) fits that mold, though hasn't boxed since a fifth-round stoppage of Anauel Ngamissengue in April 2025.