Photo: Vincent Ethier – Last Thursday, the fight of Imam Khataev (8-0, 8 KOs) was so bloody that even TikTok put a trigger warning on its highlights.
Imam Khataev, also known as “The Destroyer,” as his manager Jim Kambosos likes to call him, stayed true to form last Thursday by winning once again before the final bell, this time in the 7th round against Olympian Ezequiel Maderna.
Collective Thought : It’s true that the NABF light heavyweight champion was hit more than many would have expected. However, I refuse to believe that this is the final version of his defense.
Remember Artur
Think about it: Imam Khataev has had nearly 300 amateur fights. Yes, he still fights with his hands down, but throughout his life, that wasn’t a problem with the padded gloves and headgear used in the amateurs. Just wait a few more fights. That’s what fighting veterans like Maderna is for.
And to remind you why it’s important to be patient for a few more months, let’s recall how many said Artur Beterbiev’s defense “wouldn’t hold up against the elite” when Jeff Page Jr. officially knocked him down in 2014.
But in the meantime, while completing his transition from amateur to professional, and continuing his rise in the 175 lb division, here are five names that could benefit Khataev’s journey.
5. Charles Foster (22-1, 12 KOs)
The idea is to make some noise south of the border by bringing in an American for Khataev. The pride of Connecticut has only one loss on his record, to world contender Ali Izmailov, and it was a closely contested fight! Plus, the connection with EOTTM is already there since he was supposed to face Albert Ramirez in an eliminator last January. He obviously got injured, and Artur Ziyatdinov stepped in to save the day, but by now, Foster is probably fully recovered.
4. Roamer Angulo (28-3, 23 KOs)
I had previously suggested him as an opponent for Osleys Iglesias, and I’m suggesting him again now for Khataev. It’s a logical next step, as the 40-year-old Colombian is essentially a 2.0 version of Maderna. This is a guy who has only lost to Gilberto Ramirez (12 rounds), David Benavidez (10 rounds), and Edgar Berlanga (10 rounds). He has already fought in nine countries, so whether it’s Canada, Russia, or Australia, I’m sure he wouldn’t say no to a 10th. I repeat: put Jhon Orobio on the undercard, ask Marc Ramsay to invite Oscar Rivas to the event, and I guarantee thousands of Colombian pesos will be spent on Punching Grace that day.
3. Ronald Gavril (25-3, 20 KOs)
This is the dream fight for Laurent Poulin, who has been pestering me for months to bring him in against Iglesias. But since the 38-year-old Romanian now fights at 175 lbs, he’s the perfect opponent for Khataev. Looking back, Gavril was the one David Benavidez made history against in 2017, becoming the youngest champion at 168 lbs, a record he still holds. What history also remembers is that on his way to a split decision loss, Gavril even knocked down the ‘Mexican Monster.’ In the next fight, he lost a more decisive decision and has since won his last seven fights against much lesser opposition.
2. Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs)
Sylvain Vinet suggested him in a comment, and he couldn’t have been more accurate. First, just like Maderna was, ‘Hot Rod’ is a former opponent of Artur Beterbiev. Then, he surprised everyone recently by being extremely competitive against David Morrell Jr. He’s good, durable, fears nothing and he’s dangerous. But, it would allow us to see Jessy Ross Thompson again, the brilliant Quebec trainer who now works in Florida, including with Kalajdzic.
1. Jerome Pampellone (18-2, 11 KOs)
I present to you ‘The Panther’ Pampellone, my personal favorite choice. Why? Because Khataev is currently ranked 10th by the IBF, and the New Zealand-born Brit is the darling of the New Jersey federation. Don’t ask me why, but last April, he got an eliminator fight for the IBF’s No. 2 spot against Malik Zinad. He lost by majority decision, but Zinad then vacated his ranking to replace Artur Beterbiev and get a direct shot at the world title against Dmitry Bivol. Guess who the IBF called to fight for that coveted No. 2 spot just four months later? Our brave Pampellone, who lost again, this time by split decision to Conor Wallace. Now that it’s over, I doubt he’ll get a third chance. Since Khataev resides in Sydney, I don’t see why they shouldn’t organize this fight locally in Oceania.
Plus, they say Camille Estephan has family in Australia. That doesn’t mean anything at all, but I like to think it’s a sign.
