Khataev has not been shy about where he believes he belongs. Names such as David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol, and Artur Beterbiev have been referenced as benchmarks. His style explains the ambition. Khataev is pressure based, focused on closing distance, working the body, and forcing physical exchanges rather than operating at range. Comparisons to Beterbiev tend to surface for that reason.
The comparison, however, comes with limits.
Khataev last fought on December 11, stopping Adam Deines in the third round. Deines was dropped twice and finished by a right hand to the body that left him on one knee for a full count. It was a decisive win and an expected one. It also did little to clarify Khataev’s ceiling.
That question emerged more clearly in July, when Khataev suffered the first loss of his professional career in a split decision to David Morrell. Khataev scored a knockdown in the fifth round and had stretches of success, but he faded as the fight progressed and absorbed too much return fire. The decision drew debate. The pattern did not.
Four years into his career, Khataev holds an 11-1 record with 10 knockouts and solid sanctioning-body placement. He is ranked sixth by the WBC, seventh by the IBF, and fifteenth by the WBO. Fighters ahead of him are largely positioned in mandatory or interim lanes, leaving limited movement without a direct eliminator opportunity.
For now, the plan is to remain active in training and available should a late-notice opening appear. That is a familiar holding position for contenders in this division.
Khataev’s power shows early. What has also shown, most clearly against Morrell, is that he fades, becomes hittable, and struggles to sustain pressure over ten rounds. At the top level, that is not a minor flaw. Until it changes, the return timeline matters less than the underlying question of whether his style can hold up when the early momentum is gone.
Robert Segal has been a key voice at Boxing News 24 for more than a decade, delivering fight news, previews, and analysis with a direct, insider edge. His work highlights champions, contenders, and rising talent from around the world, offering readers a clear understanding of where each fighter stands in the sport’s shifting landscape. Known for his sharp ringside perspective and straightforward reporting style, Robert consistently brings fans closer to the action with knowledgeable, no-nonsense coverage.