So what happened was that team USA had a favourite for his weight and instead of going through the trouble of trying to get back on the team, he opted for a better and arguably more promising route. With team Albania/North Macedonia he is a very big fish in a small pond, so he will get noticed quickly when he decides to turn pro

I don’t think boxing for a smaller country is more promising, but that’s a very smart move on his part if there was some politics to navigate. I’ve been trying to catch more of him since he’s an NYC native. Cheers for the clarity!

@@acetofresh1 yeah, he wasn’t making the US team at 80kg considering Robby Gonzales is the current world champion at the weight. Relocating to Macedonia was definitely the right option - will get more opportunities to compete in international tournaments and participate in the Olympics. Plenty of American boxers have done the same - take Teófimo López for example, who represented Honduras at Rio 2016.

I KNOW INSANI PERSONALLY,HES FROM MY GYM,WE RE GOOD FRIENDS,HE INJURED HIS HAND BEFORE CAMP FOR TEAM USA.AFTER HIS HAND HEALED HE FOUGHT N WON HIS FIGHTS IN NYC,THAN QUALIFIED FOR HIS PARENTS COUNTRY IN THE WORLDS

Macedonia doesn't have a national team its team is included in Greek team this athlete is from Skopje

No way, round 1 he spent being very clearly befuddled and outboxed.

Can’t say I agree - I thought Iseni was hard done by on the cards, especially in the opening round. Khataev has always struggled against guys who move their feet.

​@@taylorohiggins1734 interesting. Idk for me he clearly won round 2 and 3, first one I can see your point.

@@taylorohiggins1734 Yep. Actually shocked since Arseni doesn’t have that much experience at the high circuit. But anyone who’s seen Khataev against guys like Whittaker, Ruzmetov, Nurdauletov can see where his weaknesses lie.

@@acetofresh1 yep - he looks like a destroyer against stationary targets, it’s lateral movement that gives him problems. Struggles to cut the ring off or corral opponents. Saw it here and against Allahverdiyev in Morocco. I’m not sure whether Khataev makes it to the final, I think he’ll have all kinds of trouble against Alfiorau. But if he does, López should know what to do this time - stay mobile and active on the backfoot. Last thing he wants to do is try and hold his ground.