Over a 15-year amateur boxing career, Imam Khataev competed extensively on the international tournament circuit and amassed nearly 300 bouts. After earning a spot on the Russian national team, he quickly made his mark, finishing as national runner-up in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He then became Russian cruiserweight champion in back-to-back years, winning the title in 2019 and 2020. The highlight of his amateur career came at the Tokyo Olympics, where he earned a bronze medal after a hard-fought battle with British standout Ben Whittaker.
Faced David Morrell Jr. in New York in a hard-fought bout, becoming the first man to send the Cuban fighter to the canvas.
Became NABF light-heavyweight champion by stopping Michal Luwdwiczak in the second round.
Won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Many believe Khataev’s relentless, pressure-heavy style is tailor-made for the professional ranks. In 2021, the Chechen standout made his professional debut with a win in Russia. He followed it up in 2022 and 2023 with two more knockout victories—first in Serbia, then in Australia, where he relocated with his trainer, Anton Kadushin.
In the fall of 2023, Khataev joined EOTTM and delivered two more devastating knockouts in front of Quebec fans. Ready to take the next step in January 2024, he was matched against Polish champion Michal Ludwiczak, whom he stopped to capture the NABF light heavyweight title. Back in Australia that May, he continued his run by stopping world contender Ricards Bolotniks in the sixth round on the undercard of the Lomachenko–Kambosos mega-fight. Then, in September, Olympic boxer Ezequiel Maderna became the next to experience Khataev’s power, as the Chechen fighter stopped the Argentinian in the seventh round of a bloody battle. With a 12-1 record and 11 knockouts, Imam Khataev has set an exceptionally high bar for the rest of his professional career. In the years ahead, his goal is not simply to win a world title, but to become an undisputed champion.