"In two years I want to get to the title of world champion": Khatayev about his career in professionals, bronze of the World Cup and women referees

– In July 2022, you had your second professional fight. And then many thought that they would no longer see Imam Khatayev in the amateur ring. But after that, you performed first at the Russian Championship in Chita, then at the tournament in Morocco, and then at the World Championship. Why did you decide to return to Olympic boxing?

- After the victory over Adam Trenado, together with my mentor Anton Kadushin, we almost immediately began to prepare for the third fight. It was supposed to take place in Moscow. But the opponent refused, which is why it was canceled. After that, the head coach of the Russian national boxing team, Viktor Borisovich Farkhutdinov, called me and asked me to take part in the Russian championship, where the selection for the world championship in Tashkent took place.

I was then very upset because of the disruption of the rating fight, but still decided to apply for the competition in Chita. And although I did not specifically prepare for it, I managed to win there and qualify for the World Cup in Tashkent. Up to this point, I had not fought at the World Championships, so it was an important event for me. It is curious that the last tournament was the first and last of its kind for me. My career as an amateur is over, in the future I plan to fight exclusively for the pros. I'm saying this so that in the future they don't ask me to come back for the Olympics or something like that (laughs).

- According to many boxers, the preparation for fights for amateurs and professionals is radically different. How difficult was it for you to fight in Chita with this in mind?

- Of course, it was not easy. During the national championship, I did not feel the best way. If I had prepared specifically for it, I would have looked much more confident there, I would have won in a more dominant manner. Of course, it is not easy to rebuild. But I haven't been fighting for professionals for so long, I haven't lost my skills yet.

- The return to amateurs was a consequence of the circumstances. But you yourself did not have a desire to finally win gold at a major international competition? After all, at the Tokyo Olympics, you stopped one step away from the final.

- Of course, there was a desire. Personally, I really wanted to perform at the World Cup back in 2021 - right after the Games. Then he was at the peak of his form and was ready to fight for the highest places. At the training camp, I was put with athletes weighing 86, 90, 102 kg - against their background I looked no less powerful. I felt strength, speed. But then the coaching staff relied on young people.

I approached the championship in Tashkent in an imperfect condition. Largely due to the lack of competitive practice, because for a long time Russian athletes did not have the opportunity to fight at international championships. Only in February 2023, we were able to participate in the tournament for the prizes of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, which was held in Marrakech. Thus, in two years I had only seven or eight amateur fights, although I was used to playing 20 for one.

Taking all this into account, it was not easy to show all my skills at the championship. After all, the strongest from all over the world come there. There were many strong athletes in Tashkent - at the same 2021 World Cup, there was no such level of competition. At that time, many people rested after the Olympics.

- Taking all this into account, the bronze medal can be considered a serious achievement. However, you admitted that you were disappointed with the result, because you were going for another.

"Despite everything, I was hoping to take the gold. Moreover, I was sure that I could do it. But that's exactly what happened. However, I do not agree with the decision of the judges in my fight with Nurbek Oralbay. Look, four out of five referees gave the first round to the Kazakh athlete, the second went to him unanimously. After watching the recording, it didn't seem entirely objective to me.

- What outrages you?

- What boxing turns into. People try not to fight with each other, but to try to somehow outplay, run over. And it's hard to knock out an opponent in the current gloves. They are too light. I think that if everything continues like this, then soon the fights of the Olympians will be of no interest to the public.

- What needs to be changed?

- Return normal gloves, evaluate first of all activity, hits, a series of blows. It is not easy to demonstrate bright boxing when the opponent runs around the ring, looks for the fifth corner, constantly hugs, ties his hands and only occasionally throws something out of the race. It's a shame that the referees give preference to such athletes, and not those who want to fight, dominate. It's hard for me to understand why this is happening.

- It seemed that the fight with Oralbay was something similar to the fight with Benjamin Whittaker at the Olympics. You pressed again and acted as the number one, while the opponent avoided the fight. Is that really the case?

- In a similar manner, not only Oralbay acted, but also Christian Piñales. Definitely spied on this tactic from Whittaker. They were ready to do everything possible to prevent me from getting in, not to fight with me. I understand that. But at the same time, it does not fit in my head how judges can encourage this.

- With whom was it more difficult - with Oralbay or Whittaker?

- In this vein, it would be possible to speak if one of them stood in the center of the ring and began to exchange blows with me, interrupt me. It's more correct to say who was more difficult to run after (laughs).

"And for whom?"

"It's hard to choose. It was quite difficult to keep up with both.

- Have you thought to try to take your opponents with their own weapons and work as the second number?

"Sometimes I acted in that manner. If the opponent did not run away from me, then sometimes he could try to pull him towards him, provoke attacks. For example, in this vein, there was a fight with the Macedonian Arjan Iseni. A spiritual fighter, he went forward. I tried to meet him, to exchange.

Honestly, I expected the same from Oralbay. At one time, we sparred with him - he is an attacking boxer who himself strives to go forward. Therefore, his tactics for the fight came as a big surprise to me. And after two lost rounds, it was too late to try to challenge him. There's no way he would do that. As a result, it turned out like this: when I attack, he knits me. When I don't force it, it runs away.

- The national team of Uzbekistan won nine medals at the tournament and for the first time in the XXI century took first place in the unofficial team standings. What is the reason - the increase in the level of local athletes or home refereeing?

- This is a difficult question. But you have to understand that it's not just about evaluating the fights themselves, but also about how the tournament grid is formed. One way or another, the results of the same team of Uzbekistan at the World Cup were noticeably higher than at the same Olympics. Then they had only one prize-winner, and here there are many more. I think there was some help from the judges.

– After the defeats of Dmitry Dvali and Vsevolod Shumkov, many legends of Russian boxing showed dissatisfaction with the work of the jury. In your opinion, the Russians were really undeservedly not allowed into the final?

- Unfortunately, it was not possible to watch the fights with their participation. On the same day, I fought with Oralbay, I was focused on him, and I did not have time to find the record yet. But I heard that in their fights the refereeing decisions were quite controversial. In principle, it was from the semi-finals that the jury's verdicts began to raise more and more questions.

– In Tashkent, questions were raised not only by the judges' assessments, but also by the actions of the referee inside the ring. For example, in the battle with Piñales, you were knocked down for no reason at all. What happened there?

- A female referee from Taiwan worked on that fight. I think women should not have been allowed to participate in men's fights, especially those where representatives of heavy categories fight. Perhaps she got scared at some point and opened an account, although nothing serious happened. The blow was not of great force, and even fell not in the head, but in the shoulder.

Such referees spoil the career of athletes. A person prepares for competitions, shedding blood and sweat, and such an unfairly counted knockdown can negate all his efforts. I think this needs to be revised, as in tennis. Look, there are also a bunch of cameras. And if there is any controversial moment, then it is thoroughly understood. Why is this still not in boxing? It would be possible to imprison experts who would evaluate such ambiguous episodes.

- In professional boxing, have you ever seen how girls serve fights involving men?

- Honestly, I have not seen this. But this is no longer uncommon among amateurs. I don't remember if the girls served men's fights at the Olympic Games, but at the World Cup it becomes a frequent practice. I do not welcome this.

– In general, how would you describe the atmosphere at the tournament? Nevertheless, a number of national teams boycotted it because of the IBA's decision to allow the Russian national team to perform on it with a flag and anthem.

- Everyone treated us very well and warmly. We communicate well with everyone, we are in constant contact with athletes, coaches. Politics has no influence here.

- What would you personally choose - to be able to compete under your flag or compete with all the strongest?

- Of course, I would choose the flag. At the Olympics, I already had the experience of performing in a neutral status - this is very unpleasant. It's great to understand that you represent your country, and in the stands you see people with the Russian tricolor who support you, chanting: "Russia! These are indescribable emotions.

- How do you assess the prospect of creating a new international boxing organization - World Boxing?

- To be honest, this has never really interested me. And in the light of the transition to professionals, this completely loses its significance for me. Of course, let them try, but I don't know if it makes sense.

—As you said, the 2023 World Cup was your last in your amateur career. When can we expect your next fight as a pro?

– Now I plan to take a break and resume preparations for the fourth match. As far as I know, negotiations are already underway. I can't say the exact date, but I tentatively expect to fight in July. In two years I want to get to the world title.

- At the moment, Russian boxers can only conduct rating fights abroad. Recently you fought in Serbia and Australia, do you intend to continue to move in this direction?

- Yes. In the near future I plan to perform abroad. I'm not going to fight in Russia yet.

– I think, under the impression of your fights, many people have formed the opinion that in style you are much more suitable for professional boxing, rather than amateur boxing. Agree?

- Yes, I often hear this. Before going pro, I didn't understand why everyone was saying that. But then I felt that it was mine. And subsequently, it became even more difficult to return to amateurs.

— Who would you single out from the possible rivals in the light heavyweight category?

- I think it's too early for me to challenge anyone, to talk about champions. I need to improve my track record, have more battles, and then think about it. But I'll tell you in advance, I won't fight Artur Beterbiev. This is a Chechen, our champion. I respect him immensely. It seems to me that soon he will end his career. I want to take these belts and hold them after he hangs up the gloves on a nail.

- In your opinion, before leaving the sport, Beterbiev will have time to hold a unification duel with Dmitry Bivol?

- I can't answer this question. As far as I know, Arthur himself is not averse to meeting with Dmitry - so he said in an interview. I think he would have been ready to do it this year, but he was offered to fight during the celebration of Ramadan. And it is extremely difficult to keep yourself in shape for a whole month, observing fasting. I hope that this fight will still take place and Beterbiev will receive the title of undisputed world light heavyweight champion.

- Everything goes to the fact that the next opponent of Beterbiev will be Callum Smith. How serious is this contender for him?

- Honestly, I don't know who it is. In my free time, I very rarely watch contractions. Sometimes they tell me the names of boxers, and I haven't even seen them before. But if Beterbiev himself speaks, then I will definitely watch it.

— What was the last fight you watched?

- Beterbieva with Anthony Yarde.

- Would you call it the most difficult for a Russian in recent years?

— Certainly. It was a very tough battle. Yarde is a strong, powerful guy, Arthur still broke him, interrupted him. In general, Anthony is quite an interesting opponent. I think after a while it would be possible to challenge him.