David Stevens, a decorated former amateur, hopes to rebound from a narrow defeat to Bektemir Melikuziev when he boxes on LA Friday Night Fights.
Super middleweight Stevens, 14-2 (10 KOs), is 25 and has lost two of his last three but hoping to get back on track against Russian-born Petr Khamukov (pictured), who is 13-0 (6 KOs) and fights out of Woodland Hills, California.
Stevens turned pro back in 2018 having grabbed two Junior Olympic gold, a Silver Gloves Championship, a Ringside World Championship, and the 2017 USA Boxing Youth National title.
“I have been hard at work in the gym and waiting for an opportunity to get back into the ring,” said Stevens. “I am thankful to Golden Boy for getting me this main event fight, and I can’t wait to show the world I have what it takes to be at the top.”
Khamukov was a 2016 Russian Olympian and had well over 100 amateur bouts. He’s 33 and has defeated the likes of Vaughn Alexander and Esau Herrera de la Cruz as a pro.
“My team and I are excited to finally showcase what we’ve been working on,” said Khamukov. “I’m looking forward to showing everyone why I’m called ‘The Surgeon.’ I know David Stevens is a tough, rugged fighter, but there are levels to this game. I’m here to show I belong. I’m willing to fight the best and leave my mark in the game.”
“We’re excited to partner with Paco Presents again for this excellent main event,” said Golden Boy’s Eric Gomez. “David Stevens has a tough test in front of him with the undefeated former Olympian Petr Khamukov, but we know he has what it takes to be victorious.”
“I want to thank my partners at Golden Boy, especially Eric Gomez, as well as Robert Garcia’s House of Champions and the great team at Thunder Studios for helping make this second exciting event happen,” said Paco Damian. “This will be a great show for the DAZN viewers from top to bottom with every matchup reflecting the quality matchmaking we put into these shows.”
Also on the bill, at junior middleweight, 15-1 (8 KOs) Leonardo Ruiz meets 9-4 (4 KOs) Jarrod Tennant, and at junior welterweight Juan Sanchez – who is 8-0 (7 KOs) – takes on 15-5 (10 KOs) Yeis Solano.
The busy card also sees junior lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava, 9-0-1 (3 KOs), in action and at bantamweight 7-1 (5 KOs) Alexis Alvarado takes on 5-0-1 (4 KOs) Jose Ilva.
Junior welterweight Daniel Cruz, unbeaten in nine, and super middleweight Alexis Espino, 9-1-1 (6 KOs), are also in six-rounders with Nicolas Robledo, 2-0 (2 KOs) and Emiliano Alvarado, 6-0 (4 KOs), in four-round fights at junior lightweight and junior featherweight respectively.