TWO MAJOR FIGHTS FOR IMAM AND SHAMIL KHATAEV ON DECEMBER 7 IN RUSSIA
MONTREAL, November 18, 2024 — Imam Khataev’s international tour will continue on December 7. After competing in Quebec in January, Sydney in May, and Montreal in September, the Tokyo Games medalist will end the year by taking on unbeaten Cuban contender Yunior Menendez, ranked 15th by the WBC, at the Colosseum in Grozny, Russia.
“Imam dedicates his life to boxing. He’s every promoter’s dream—a guy who’s constantly training and staying active. It’s perfect for us because facing Yunior Menendez, a top-15 fighter in the world, with less than a month’s notice is quite a challenge,” noted Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
Imam Khataev (8-0, 8 KOs) has had a meteoric rise in 2024. In January, on the undercard of Beterbiev-Smith, he captured the NABF light heavyweight title by stopping Poland’s champion Michal Ludwiczak in the second round. In May, he followed up by stopping world contender Ricards Bolotniks in the sixth round in Sydney, Australia, on the undercard of the major international bout between Vasyl Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. Then, in November, he returned to Montreal to defeat Beijing Olympics participant Ezequiel Maderna in seven rounds. Now ranked 7th by the IBF and 13th by the WBC, Khataev is determined to finish the year as strongly as he started it.
“I’m always working to be ready to face anyone, anywhere, anytime. On December 7, I plan to put on another great show, demonstrate my progress, and, most importantly, get closer to a world title. I won’t stop until I become the undisputed champion,” pledged Imam Khataev.
While Khataev is an undefeated world contender eager to climb the light heavyweight ranks, Yunior “Bronco Man” Menendez (11-0, 8 KOs) shares the same ambition. In just his 12th fight, the Havana, Cuba native—now residing in Panama—will be aiming for his fourth victory against an undefeated fighter. The 28-year-old earned his WBC world ranking by capturing the WBC FECARBOX title in 2023, which he defended in June with a quick stoppage of veteran Junior Boada.
In the co-main event, another clash of undefeated fighters promises fireworks! Eye of the Tiger’s prospect, Shamil “The Warrior” Khataev (13-0-1, 4 KOs), will step into the ring right before his older brother’s fight to take on the 2021 Olympian and Ugandan champion Shadiri Musa Bwogi (7-0, 5 KOs) with the WBC Asia title on the line.
“It’s exciting to fight at home again, especially for a title! Even though an ocean separates us, I want to make it clear that I have no intention of disappointing my team or Eye of the Tiger’s fans in Canada,” stated the charismatic prospect Shamil Khataev.
