Houston’s Marquis Taylor On ‘WBC Radar’ After Teeing Up Petr Khamukov Bout

 Press Release: November 19, 2024 By Lee McLaughlan -  

Credit: Lee McLaughlan

Houston’s Marquis Taylor on ‘WBC radar’ after teeing up Petr Khamukov bout

·       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.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

BOXING MANAGER HARRISON AIMS TO IGNITE HOUSTON FIGHT SCENE AFTER SECURING PROMOTERS LICENSE

Press Release: October 3, 2024 By Lee McLaughlan - 3rd October 2024, Houston, TX – Long-time boxing manager Bobby Harrison aims to supercharge Houston’s boxing scene after securing his promoter’s license.

Harrison, who has a strong stable of boxing talent including Houston’s current NABF middleweight champion Marquis ‘Marvelous’ Taylor and Jr lightweight contender Eridson Garcia, applied for the license after becoming frustrated at seeing his world class fighters denied major bouts.

Taylor and Garcia, both 30, are his prize assets and Harrison feels both boxers should be given the chance to have world title bouts in 2025. However, attempts to secure match-ups has proven impossible with a number of the top fighters refusing to take them on.

Harrison, who owns the city’s Legions Training Complex, is now looking at potential venues, dates and opponents so the duo can catch the eye of boxing’s sanctioning bodies.

Given Houston’s sporting pedigree, Harrison definitely wants to add some blockbuster boxing nights and bring on board major sponsors who want to be part of a slice of sporting history. He is also considering holding shows in other States to maximize the potential of his fighters.

Harrison said: “Houston has an impressive boxing scene – which goes largely under the radar – so I want to bring some great fights to the city for my fighters and for boxing fans.

“More importantly, I want to give my guys a real opportunity of being able to take on the best fighters in their divisions and show they deserve to be given a chance to fight for a world title.

“Both are ready to fight. I have spoken with other promoters to get them bouts but no-one is willing to fight them. This has forced me to take matters into my own hands and become a promoter.

“These two should be fighting for a world title and my plan is to get them the three or four fights they need to climb higher up the rankings, get the attention of the sanctioning bodies, and be given the chance to fight for a world title in 2025.”

Taylor, who has won 17 of his 20 professional fights, was last in the ring in August when he retained his NABF title after rival Robert Garcia retired hurt.

Harrison’s other contender, Eridson Garcia, who is ranked 13th by the WBA, has won 19 of his 20 professional fights. His last bout saw him secure an impressive unanimous decision over William Foster III in a lightweight contest in Newark.

Material Courtesy of: Lee McLaughlan Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

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