Zhanibek Alimkhanuly forces Rob Brant out after eight rounds

Kazakhstan middleweight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly moved to legitimate contender status with a commanding performance that saw former WBA world middleweight titleholder Rob Brant totally outboxed and out-punched by the former 2016 Olympian at the Theatre at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

So one-sided was the fight that Brant's corner had little choice but to pull their man out at the end of the 8th round. Brant had been down in the 6th round.

Southpaw Alimkhanuly will be a dangerous assignment for any middleweight contenders, he is organised, compact in defence and rangy, he also carries some power.