Aidos “Alim” Japparbergenov defends his bantamweight title against unbeaten challenger Almaz Nurghali on 28 August in the main championship bout at International Boxing Day in Astana organised by International Boxing Association (IBA) and NOMAD promotion. 

Their first encounter in May 2025 ended in a highly controversial draw, with Japparbergenov retaining his championship. The outcome sparked widespread debate among fans and left the division without a definitive answer as to who was the superior boxer.

Since then, both men have strengthened their claims to the top of the bantamweight division.

Japparbergenov successfully defended his IBA NOMAD title against Asror Akparkhodjaev at IBA NOMAD 14, proving he remains the benchmark of the weight class.

Nurghali, meanwhile, has continued his unbeaten run and delivered the biggest victory of his career at IBA NOMAD 15, defeating Torgynbek Amirov, who entered the contest as the world’s No. 1 fighter in the division according to BoxRec rankings and the reigning RCC Hard champion.

With both fighters now holding landmark victories, the long-awaited rematch will determine the undisputed king of the IBA NOMAD bantamweight division.

The event promises another chapter in one of the league’s most compelling rivalries, with championship gold and divisional supremacy on the line.