Khataev Looks To Rebound Against Adam Deines On Dec. 11

2020 Olympic bronze Medalist Imam Khataev will be looking to bounce back from a loss last summer by taking on Adam Deines in a 10-round light heavyweight fight on December 11th.

The Russia-born Khataev (10-1, 9 KOs) recently lost to David Morrell by 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 and had him hurt as the round ended.

Deines’ Spoiler Mission

Deines (24-3-1, 14 KOs) will be challenging for Khataev’s NABF light-heavyweight title. It’s a fight critical to both fighters. Khataev, who has been compared to Artur Beterbiev in terms of fighting style and power, has 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 contests and on the verge of being stopped. He’s not going to go far in the 175-b division if he continues to fade late. However, Khataev’s heavy hands will always make him a threat early against 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 of getting a victory the second time around.

Olympic Lessons Revisited

In the 2020 Olympics, Khataev lost to Britain’s Ben Whittaker 4-1 in a fight that resembled a cat chasing a mouse around the ring. That 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 to give him the victory because he showed no willingness to engage in the contest.

Khataev vs. Deines will be fighting in the co-feature slot at the Lac Leamy Casino on the Alexandre Gaumont vs. Ramadan Hiseni card.