Hamzah Sheeraz's second defense of the WBO super middleweight title will be against a former champion.Three weeks after the 27-year-old Sheeraz's successful title defense against Simon Zachenhuber, the WBO is ordering its super middleweight champion arguably the toughest fight of his career. The organization announced Friday morning that former 160-pound champion Janibek Alimkhanuly has been designated as Sheeraz's mandatory challenger, as first reported by Ring Magazine.The official document states that Sheeraz and Alimkhanuly have 20 days to reach an agreement before the bout heads to purse bids.OFFICIAL: Zhanibek Alimkhanuly has been designated Mandatory Challenger to WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Hamzah Sheeraz. 🥊Both teams have been ordered to begin negotiations. pic.twitter.com/nJTbHELITJ— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 14, 2026Alimkhanuly was named the mandatory challenger over 20-0 Jacob Bank, who seemingly cemented himself as the No. 1 contender with a unanimous decision win over Pawel August in July, on the same card as Sheeraz's last title defense. Bank also has a win over former undisputed super middleweight title challenger William Scull.Alimkhanuly is now the WBO's No. 2-ranked super middleweight contender, only behind former champion Canelo Alvarez, who is set to face Christian Mbilli for the WBC 168-pound title in October. Bank is currently the No. 4-ranked contender.In its official announcement, the WBO cited Alimkhanuly's superior resume and pedigree. The former champion's 12-month suspension was the only obstacle, which has now been rescinded, with the WBO stating that he "fully satisfied the applicable conditions imposed upon him."Janibek Alimkhanuly gets suspension revoked for WBO title fightJanibek Alimkhanuly won a split decision over Alexander Vaughn Saturday night during Top Rank Boxing at the Don Haskins Center.