2020 Olympic bronze medalist Imam Khataev will look to bounce back from a loss last summer by taking on Adam Deines in a 10-round light heavyweight bout on December 11.
The Russian-born Khataev (10-1, 9 KOs) most recently lost to David Morrell via a questionable 10-round split decision last summer on July 12, 2025 on Turki Alalshikh’s card in Queens, New York. In the fifth, Khataev dropped Morrell with a right hand, injuring him as the round ended.
Yours pampering mission
Deines (24-3-1, 14 KOs) will challenge for Khataev’s NABF light heavyweight title. This is a critical fight for both fighters. Khataev, who has been compared to Artur Beterbiev in terms of fighting style and power, needs to show he can fight sustainably without gassing out.
In Khataev’s last two fights against Morrell and Durval Elias Palacio, he was hurt late in the bouts and on the verge of being stopped. He’s not going to get far in the 175-b division if he continues to fade. However, Khataev’s heavy hands will always make him a threat early on whoever he faces.
It would be interesting to see a rematch at some point down the line between Khataev and Morrell in a 12-rounder. With a different set of judges, Khataev might have a better chance at a second win.
Olympic lessons revisited
In the 2020 Olympics, Khataev lost to Britain’s Ben Whittaker 4-1 in a fight that looked like a cat chasing a mouse around the ring. It was a pure Tom and Jerry type of fight as Whittaker was not interested in standing and fighting Khataev.
The judges were very kind to Whittaker in giving him the win because he showed no willingness to participate in the contest.
Khataev vs. Deines will fight in the co-feature slot at the Lac Leamy Casino on the Alexandre Gaumont vs. Ramadan Hiseni Map.
Last updated on 12/02/2025
