Photo: With his experience gained in Russia, over 300 amateur fights and over a dozen as a professional, Shamil Khataev says he is ready to take on the top 15 middleweights upon his arrival in Canada.
You know Imam Khataev, the powerful light heavyweight puncher who signed with EOTTM last fall, well get ready, because a second Khataev is coming to town. This time in the middleweight division, we now learn that his younger brother Shamil officially joined the tiger squad on February 12.
**May 14 update: EOTTM has now announced that Shamil Khataev will make his Quebec debut on June 6, at the Montreal Casino, and in a fight scheduled for 10 rounds**
“It’s my brother who convinced me. I wanted my career to be better managed and I was really impressed by how [EOTTM] found opponents for him, even replacements, and for titles in such a short time,” says the 27-year-old athlete with an immaculate record of 12-0, 3 KOs.
Although two years younger than Imam (6-0, 6 KOs), Shamil already has twice as many professional fights and over seven times more rounds of experience. His resume was not acquired against just anyone, knowing that the world contender is already ranked 20th on BoxRec.
Each has their strength
If he spent more time honing his skills in the paid ranks, it’s because while Imam won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics (2021), his younger brother had already decided to turn professional.
“No one is stronger than my brother! I believe the Almighty gave him strength and me, endurance. That’s why I decided to turn pro, because I knew that longer fights were to my advantage,” says the one who first won national junior and senior championships in the amateur ranks.
To make history
Much like Artur Beterbiev, initially, the Khataev brothers were wrestlers. A boxing enthusiast, their father introduced them to the noble art, which the inseparable brothers instantly fell in love with.
For Shamil, it all began at the age of 11, setting the stage for limitless aspirations. “Since that day, it’s all we’ve had in mind. Over time, the Khataev name is already starting to resonate in the boxing world, but my brother and I really want to etch it into history.”
You’ve heard it. The bar is high, but he himself is lifting it.
Ultimate promise
With the same dream and now the same team to help them achieve it, everything seems in place for the Khataev brothers to at least offer exciting fights to the Quebec audience. Once again, like his older brother did before leaving for Australia, Shamil plans to leave his native Russia in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen what the destination will be.
“Either in Australia or Canada,” he states, more certain of the next point.
“Together, my brother and I cannot be beaten.”
A note from Imam
Although the last sentence was perfectly dramatic, this text would not have been complete without also hearing the second voice of the Khataev siblings, Imam.
Contacted for this purpose, Imam showed mutual trust in his brother. He first spoke of his skills and exploits, already mentioned, but also, and above all, of his resilience.
“A lot of people underestimate Shamil, but I have no doubt that he will become world champion, because I know where he comes from. We grew up, we trained and went through everything together,” he says without leaving any doubt.
“Trust me, I know what he is capable of.”
