LOS ANGELES – Undefeated Russian tremendous middleweight Petr “The Surgeon” Khamukov (13-0, 6 KOs) is ready to return to the highlight this Friday, headlining LA Friday Evening Fights at Thunder Studios in Lengthy Seaside, California, towards powerful Pennsylvania native David “Dynamite” Stevens (14-2, 10 KOs).
Offered by Paco Presents and Golden Boy Promotions, the 10-round showdown will likely be streamed dwell worldwide on DAZN.
Khamukov, a 2016 Olympian with an in depth novice pedigree that features 350 bouts, is keen to reestablish his presence within the skilled ranks after a year-long layoff. A promotional free agent now residing in Woodland Hills, California, the 33-year-old was the one Russian fighter to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in two weight lessons—middleweight and lightweight heavyweight—and boasts gold medals from each the 2015 European Championships and 2016 Russian Nationwide Championships.
“It was an actual problem, each bodily and mentally,” Khamukov mentioned of his time away from the game. “As they are saying, the darkest evening is adopted by the brightest daybreak. That point away helped me reset, replicate, and are available again even stronger. Typically these moments are obligatory to construct true resilience. It’s a must to ask fighters why they’ve averted me. I’ve at all times been able to combat however they weren’t. Possibly the chance simply didn’t justify the reward? Worry of shedding generally is a highly effective pressure. Allow them to run, I’m not chasing anybody. I’m centered alone path.”
Khamukov’s final outing got here 13 months in the past, when he knocked out Esau Herrera de la Cruz within the third spherical. Since then, he has signed with 3 Level Administration (3PM) and appears ahead to showcasing his expertise underneath the intense lights.
“It’s an enormous honor and an enormous duty to be headlining this Friday evening in Lengthy Seaside,” he added. “A most important occasion, worthy opponent, and a crew that’s labored extremely exhausting to get us right here. Now it’s time to do what I do finest: step into the ring and show myself. Combating on DAZN is a launchpad to an entire new degree. Tens of millions of eyes, a much bigger stage and new doorways that would open for me after a powerful efficiency. One factor will keep the identical: transferring ahead with dignity and respect for the game, my opponent and myself.”
His opponent, 24-year-old David Stevens, brings expertise and firepower into the bout. In his final look, he dropped a cut up resolution to high contender Bektemir Melikuziev in Las Vegas. His most notable win got here in 2023, when he handed Sean Hemphill his first skilled loss through eighth-round stoppage.
“My opponent is a powerful, skilled fighter, little question about it,” Khamukov mentioned of Stevens. “I respect that, however I didn’t simply begin boxing yesterday, both. I’ve ready totally – bodily, mentally, tactically. The remaining will likely be proven within the ring. I don’t discuss a lot, I do, and that’s what professionalism is about.”
“The most important change in coaching camp has been quantity. We’ve elevated endurance work and centered on managing tempo and vitality. At my core, I’m nonetheless the identical… aggressive, technical, and hungry for victory.”
Now a part of the three Level Administration steady, Khamukov joins a stacked roster that features WBA & WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, former WBC Gentle Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr “Nails” Gvozdyk, high tremendous flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez, rising contender Darius “DFG” Fulgham, former Inter-Continental champ Kareem “Supreme” Hackett, and unbeaten prospect Simon “Saucy” Vollmer.
With a adorned novice background, rising administration assist, and a highlight on a worldwide platform, Petr Khamukov seems to take an enormous step ahead in his profession this Friday evening in Lengthy Seaside.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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