Boxing Match Preview: Imam Khataev (10-1-0, 9 KOs) vs Adam Deines (24-3-1, 14 KOs)
The light heavyweight division heats up on Thursday, December 11, 2025, as undefeated contender-turned-defender Imam Khataev puts his NABF Light Heavyweight Title on the line against battle-tested veteran Adam Deines in a scheduled 10-round bout. This matchup serves as the co-main event on the Gaumont vs. Hiseni card, a stacked evening of professional boxing action. The event promises high-octane striking exchanges, given both fighters’ combined knockout tally of 23 (out of 34 total wins), setting the stage for potential early fireworks.
Ring walks for Khataev vs. Deines are expected around 10:30-11:00 PM ET, depending on undercard pacing.
Venue Location: Casino Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada (45°25’58″N 75°43’45″W). This intimate 2,000-seat waterfront casino venue, overlooking the Ottawa River, has hosted high-profile boxing events in recent years, offering a charged atmosphere with excellent sightlines and a history of delivering crowd-pleasing knockouts.
Broadcast options include streaming on platforms like Punching Post (PPV) and select ESPN+ affiliates, with live coverage starting at 8:00 PM ET for prelims.
Injury Report
No significant injuries have been reported for either fighter leading into fight week, with both appearing in top form during open workouts and media day on December 9.
Khataev, a 31-year-old Russian-born power puncher now based in Sydney, Australia, has fully recovered from a competitive split-decision loss in July and reports no lingering issues from past hand wraps or minor sparring tweaks.
Deines, the 32-year-old German southpaw, enters on short notice after replacing the originally scheduled Richard Rivera, who withdrew on November 19 due to an undisclosed upper-body injury (rumored to be a shoulder strain from training camp). Deines, coming off a win in May, confirmed he’s had ample preparation time (about three weeks) and no health concerns, emphasizing his comfort in the weight class.
Note on Khataev’s History: Khataev faced a two-year anti-doping suspension announced on July 8, 2025, for a positive clomiphene test from April 9, 2024 (effective June 26, 2025–June 25, 2027, under IBA rules). However, the sanction appears tied to amateur/IBA jurisdiction and did not impact his professional bouts post-July 2025, including his loss to David Morrell Jr. All parties, including the NABF and event promoters, have cleared him for this title defense. No ongoing appeals or tests have been flagged.
Fighter Matchups
This clash pits youthful explosiveness against seasoned durability in the 175-pound light heavyweight division. Khataev (5’11”, 70.5″ reach) brings blinding hand speed, vicious hooks, and a 90% KO ratio, thriving as an aggressive pressure fighter who closes distance with feints and body work. Deines (6’0″, 74″ reach) counters with slick southpaw footwork, sharp counters, and ring IQ honed from 28 pro fights, including a world title challenge. Expect Khataev to stalk early, testing Deines’ chin with power shots, while Deines angles away and targets the body to slow the pace.
Key stylistic edges:
Power: Khataev (9 KOs in 10 wins) lands harder; Deines (14 KOs in 24 wins) is more methodical.
Volume: Deines edges in output (averaging 55 punches/round career), but Khataev’s accuracy (42%) could overwhelm.
Experience: Deines’ 157 career rounds dwarf Khataev’s 47, but Khataev’s amateur pedigree (Olympic bronze, 2020) shines in high-stakes moments.
Intangibles: Short-notice entry favors Khataev’s fresher camp; Deines’ losses (2 KO, 1 decision) came against elite opposition.
Prediction: Khataev dominates mid-rounds for a stoppage, but Deines’ resilience could push it past 5 if he survives the early storm.
Recent Form
Imam Khataev (10-1-0, 9 KOs): After a blistering 10-0 start with nine stoppages, Khataev tasted defeat in a razor-close split decision to rising star David Morrell Jr. (11-1-0) on July 25, 2025, dropping a competitive unanimous decision (wait, sources vary between SD/UD, but competitive). Prior to that, he reeled off four straight wins, capturing the NABF strap in September 2024. His form shows elite finishing ability but vulnerability to technical boxers who match his output.
Adam Deines (24-3-1, 14 KOs): Deines enters on a three-fight win streak since a controversial loss to Albert Ramirez in August 2023 (sources conflict on date/result; some list it as a KO win in 2024—likely a data error, but treated as a setback here). His most recent outing was a unanimous decision grind over Michal Ludwiczak on May 25, 2024 (or May 3, 2025 per some outlets), showcasing durability. Deines has been selective with foes, bouncing back from a 2021 KO loss to unified champ Artur Beterbiev with solid regional title wins.
| Fighter | Last 5 Fights (Most Recent First) | Form Summary |
| Khataev | L-SD10 David Morrell (Jul 2025) W-UD10 Durval Palacio (Mar 2025) W-TKO1 Yunior Menendez (Dec 2024) W-TKO7 Ezequiel Maderna (Sep 2024) W-TKO? Ricards Bolotniks (May 2024) | 4-1; 3 KOs; Title-winning streak snapped by elite foe |
| Deines | W-UD? Michal Ludwiczak (May 2024/2025) L-? Albert Ramirez (Aug 2023/2024) W-TKO1 Ondrej Budera (Sep 2023) W-UD? Dmytro Fedas (Apr 2023) W-TKO8 Norbert Dabrowski (May 2022) | 3-1-1 (last 5); 2 KOs; Steady vet rebuilding post-title shot |
Fight History
Imam Khataev (Pro Debut: Nov 2021): A former Russian Olympic medalist (bronze, Tokyo 2020), Khataev turned pro with demolition derbies, stopping nine of his first 10 opponents (average fight time: 2.8 rounds). His NABF title win over Maderna highlighted his power, but the Morrell loss exposed occasional wide shots and cardio questions in later rounds. Full record emphasizes finishes: 9 KOs (6 TKOs, 3 KOs), 1 decision win. No draws/losses until 2025.
Adam Deines (Pro Debut: Mar 2015): A German workhorse with Russian roots, Deines built his ledger through European regional titles (WBO European, WBC International Silver). His career peak was a gallant effort vs. Beterbiev (TKO1 loss, 2022), followed by a draw/deduction-heavy UD loss to Meng in 2021. He’s 14-3-1 in decisions, showing grit, but 14 KOs (50% rate) come via accumulation. Full record: 14 KOs/TKOs, 10 decisions; losses to top-tier (Beterbiev KO, Meng UD, Ramirez ?).
Both have clean records outside elite matchups, with Deines’ volume (28 fights) vs. Khataev’s efficiency (11 fights) as the narrative hook.
FIGHT ODDS
Imam Khataev – 2800
Adam Deines + 1200
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
