Friday, June 20th is the date for the second installment of the “LA Friday Night Fights” pro boxing series from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. It will be streamed live on DAZN at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT. In the ten-round super middleweight main event, Reading, Pennsylvania’s David “Dynamite” Stevens (14-2, 10 KOs) will face 2106 Olympian Petr “The Surgeon” Khamukov (25-1 including the World Series of Boxing), who is originally from Labinsk, Russia. Also scheduled for action in separate bouts are Leonardo Ruiz (15-1, 8 KOs) of San Bernardino, CA in the eight-round junior middleweight co-feature against Jarrod Tennant (9-4, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles. The event is promoted by Paco Presents, Golden Boy Promotions and Robert Garcia’ House of Champions. Tickets are available at events.thunderstudios.com.
Stevens was an accomplished amateur before turning professional in 2018, having won two Junior Olympic Gold Medals, a Silver Gloves Championship, a Ringside World Championship, and the 2017 USA Boxing Youth National title. The 24 year-old Stevens was last seen fighting to a respectable and close split decision loss against Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan in November of last year. Before that, Stevens took the "0" from the formidable Sean Hemphill (then 14-0) by eighth-round knockout in January 2023. “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.”
As an amateur, Khamukov was a 2016 Olympian for his Russian homeland. In over 115 elite-level international fights, he was also crowned the 2015 European and 2016 Russian National Champion. The 33-year old turned professional in 2018 and has split his ring time between Mexico and the United States ever since.
Khamukov holds a decision victory over respected veteran Vaughn Alexander in March of last year and was last seen stopping Mexico’s Esau Herrera de la Cruz in three rounds in May of last year at the Fox Theater in Redwood City. In thirteen World Series of Boxing bouts, his only loss came against perennial contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko. "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.”
“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.”
“We’re excited to partner with Paco Presents again for this excellent main event,” said Golden Boy President 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.”
UNDERCARD BOUTS
The supporting bouts include junior welterweight Juan “El Negro” Sanchez (8-0, 7 KOs) of Buena Park, CA, via Baja, Mexico, in a six-round test against Yeis Solano (15-5, 10 KOs) of Compton, CA; plus undefeated super featherweight Leonardo Rubalcava (9-0-1, 3 KOs) of Jurupa Valley, CA, in another six-round showcase.
A four-round bantamweight battle will feature Alexis Alvarado (7-1, 5 KOs) of La Puente, CA, taking on Jose Silva (5-0-1, 4 KOs) Sparks, NV; plus Daniel Cruz (9-0, 3 KOs) of San Bernardino, CA, in a junior welterweight six-rounder; Las Vegas super middleweight Alexis Espino (9-1-1, 6 KOs) going six rounds, and Nicolas Robledo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Wilmington, CA in a four-round super featherweight bout. Opening the action will be unbeaten Emiliano Alvarado (6-0, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles going four rounds in the super bantamweight division.
All unspecified opponents will be announced shortly.
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm PT and the fights start at 6:00 pm PT. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave., in Long Beach. For more information, visit their web site at thunderstudios.com or call (310) 762-1360.
