Russian super middleweight Petr Khamukov (13-0, 6 KOs) returns after more than a year out, headlining “LA Friday Night Fights” this week in Long Beach, California, against Pennsylvania’s David Stevens (14-2, 10 KOs). The 10-round fight will stream live on DAZN from Thunder Studios.
Khamukov has Olympic credentials, 350 amateur bouts, and titles from the 2015 European Championships and 2016 Russian Nationals—but nobody wanted to fight him. Until now.
Why’s Khamukov Been Frozen Out?
Simple: no one wanted the smoke. He’s been a free agent, hard to match, and too risky for too little reward. “You have to ask fighters why they avoided me,” Khamukov said. “Maybe the risk didn’t justify the reward? Fear of losing is a powerful thing.”
Now signed with 3 Point Management—home to Gilberto Ramirez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk—he’s finally got the backing to get in the mix. It’s been 13 months since he last fought, when he stopped Esau Herrera de la Cruz in three rounds. This isn’t some washed-up return; he’s fresh, sharp, and ready to move.
And Stevens? He’s no soft touch. He just went the distance with Bektemir Melikuziev in November and stopped then-undefeated Sean Hemphill before that. The man can punch and knows how to go rounds.
Big Stage, Big Chance—But What Comes Next?
Khamukov knows the stakes. “This is a launchpad,” he said about headlining on DAZN. “Millions of eyes. New doors open if I do what I need to do.” He’s not here to talk trash. He’s here to put the division on notice.
He’s kept his core—aggression, precision, and pressure—but ramped up volume and endurance. No gimmicks. Just a man who’s trained to grind for 10 rounds and drag Stevens into deep water.
At 33, there’s no time to waste. A clean win here throws him straight into the crowded, messy super middleweight picture. Think Zurdo. Think Fulghum. Think Vaughn Alexander.
Khamukov’s not hunting names. He’s just demanding someone finally stand across from him and fight.
‘Millions of eyes’? That’s a stretch lol DAZN ain’t even that big anymore in the US. He should focus on winning first before dreaming about fame or titles.
‘Nobody wanted to fight me’ is what every boxer says when they ain’t getting booked 😂 maybe it’s his team fault or maybe he just don’t sell tickets enough to be worth it.
I think Stevens gonna surprise everyone. Khamukov hasn’t fought real competition yet and Stevens been fighting tough guys already. This could be the upset people ain’t ready for.
Facts! Stevens has knockout power and experience with pressure fighters. This Russian guy might fold if it goes late rounds 🥊.
Okay so he’s got all these amateur fights and medals but that don’t mean nothing in pros. Whole different game. He been gone over a year too, ring rust is real.
Exactly! Olympic stuff don’t mean you can take hits for 10 rounds straight. Let’s see him when someone punches back hard 😤.
Honestly, I think it’s just hype. People always say someone is avoided to make them look better. If he was really a threat, promoters would’ve made the fights happen already 💸.
I don’t get why people act like this Khamukov guy is some big secret. If he’s that good, how come nobody put him in a big fight before? Maybe he ain’t as dangerous as they say.