Imam Khataev notches ninth pro win, stopping Yunior Menendez in three rounds

Hard-charging light heavyweight Imam Khataev added another victim to his rapidly growing resume by thrashing previously undefeated Cuban import Yunior Menendez in less than three rounds of one-sided action. 

The bout occurred in Grozny, Russia, the capital of Khataev’s native Chechnya, and marked the 30-year-old’s first appearance in front of the partisan crowd in more than three years, dating back to his pro debut in November 2021. Khataev was a stellar amateur fighter, with his non-paid career culminating in a bronze medal at the 2020/2021 Olympics.

Against Menendez, Khataev (9-0, 9 KOs) immediately imposed his will on his lankier but physically weaker opponent. Khataev had little trouble despite being at a reach disadvantage and in against a southpaw foe. He successfully overcame Menendez’s lazy jab to land punches from mid-range and close quarters. 

A huge left hand dropped the 28-year-old Menendez (11-1, 8 KOs) at the end of the first round. Khataev shook his opponent with a right hand in the second round and then throttled the Cuban with bad intentions in round three. After Khataev rocked Menendez again with the right and cleanly landed a couple of power crosses at the ropes, referee Irakly Malazonia hurried up to call it off at 1:30 of the third.

Khataev is ranked seventh at light heavyweight by the IBF and 13th by the WBC.

In the co-feature, junior welterweight Idris Adalaev (7-1, 3 KOs) of Russia scored a controversial 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Kamronbek Eshmatov (8-1, 5 KOs) of Uzbekistan, despite losing the last third of the contest. The scores were 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93. 

Eshmatov was unimpressed by the score and left the ring quite upset. Khataev acquired a vacant Eurasian Boxing Parliament belt in this fight.