Press Release: November 19, 2024 By Lee McLaughlan -
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| Credit: Lee McLaughlan |
· Taylor and unbeaten Russian headline Red Owl Boxfest XIII in Houston
· The 30-year-old will use the fight to push for a world title shot in 2025
Houston, TX: Houston middleweight Marquis ‘0 Snatcher’ Taylor will look to strengthen his bid for a world title shot in 2025 after confirming a December 13 showdown against undefeated Russian Petr Khamukov.
Taylor (17-1-2 2KOs) and California-based Khamukov (13-0-0 6KOs) will meet in a top-of-the-bill 10-round bout on Red Owl’s Boxfest XIII card. This is the final event of the year from Houston-based Red Owl, which will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Bobby Harrison, Taylor’s manager and co-promoter of the bout, has spoken with the NABF president Duane Ford and it has been suggested that a strong display from Taylor, the current NABF belt holder, would see him being backed for a world title shot by Ford (check) who holds a place on the WBC ratings committee.
The BiYu Promotions CEO added that Taylor was determined to take the fight as he believes it is likely to be one of the last opportunities for the Texan to fight in his home town – and wants to put on a show for his supporters.
It is a change of direction for Taylor who announced last month he was ready to take on Jermell Charlo in Houston on the Gervonta Davis – Lamont Roach undercard, scheduled for December 14.
However, former world champion Charlo refused to take on Taylor, while rumours are circulating that the Davis – Roach event is now unlikely to go ahead next month.
This forced the rethink from Taylor’s camp with Harrison and Taylor prepared to take on the Khamukov for the Red Owl series given its profile on DAZN. It will be Taylor’s third fight of the year and follows a successful defence of the NABF title against Roberto Garcia in August.
Harrison admitted he knew little about the 33-year-old Russian, who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Khamukov turned pro in 2018 and has chalked up 13 straight wins, his last fight coming in May against 40-year-old Mexican Esau Herrera de la Cruz.
Harrison said: “The opportunity to fight an undefeated Russian, who competed in the Olympics – it’s like a Rocky movie.
“Marquis wants to fight in Houston as a victory here would take him close to the top 10 or 15 and the likelihood is he’ll be called to fight in the likes of Las Vegas and New York. We think this will be his last chance to fight in Houston, which is another reason he was willing to take this on.
“I’ve also spoken with the NABF’s Duane Ford and he is taking a lot of interest in this fight. They are willing to throw their weight behind Marquis and getting the big name promoters to give him an opportunity at a world title bout next year.
“We don’t know that much about the opponent, but we do know that he will view this as a huge chance to push himself up the rankings with a win. It is hard to know the quality of the opponents he has faced but Marquis is certainly leaps and bounds better than anyone he will have faced.”
For the next three weeks, Taylor will be based in Las Vegas working with his trainer – two-time world champion Shawn Porter.
Taylor added: “I’m taking him very seriously. He has an unbeaten record and is a former Olympian. I am willing to take him on and see this as a huge opportunity to enhance my credentials for a world title bout after this.”
Material and Photo Courtesy of: Lee McLaughlan Used with permission.
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