World Boxing News can reveal that Avtandil Khurtsidze – once one of boxing’s most feared middleweights – has resurfaced for a second time, years after a brutal prison stabbing that almost ended his life and career.
The Georgian veteran, former world-famous fighter, fought a six-round draw in Brooklyn at Danny Garcia’s farewell gala, beginning the next chapter in one of boxing’s strangest and most cautionary comeback stories.
Stabbing in prison and criminal connections
In 2017, a few days before the planned fight for the WBO world title with Billy Joe Saunders, Khurtsidze’s career collapsed. He was arrested along with 26 others as part of a federal crackdown on the so-called Shulaya Enterprise – an alleged organized crime network operating throughout the United States.
The player himself later became a victim. Reports describe a “knife rampage” at the Brooklyn Detention Center, where Khurtsidze and Razhden Shulaya were hospitalized after a confrontation with a Latin American gang. Court documents confirmed that Khurtsidze “suffered multiple stab wounds to his face,” which left the former “Mini Mike Tyson” scarred and sidelined for years.
Killing the FBI
The US Department of Justice he described Shulaya as “vor v zakone” – Russian for “thief”, a high-ranking figure from the underworld. Prosecutors have charged the group with crimes ranging from extortion and identity theft to illegal gambling, drug trafficking and casino fraud.
For Khurtsidze, it meant the demise of a promising career and reputation buried under headlines about organized crime and prison violence. Instead of fighting for the WBO title, he spent years behind bars, watching the world cope without him.
Return
Interestingly, Khurtsidze returned in May 2024 for his first fight since prison, scoring a stunning first-round knockout that suggested his legendary strength and timing had survived the lost years. Heading into Saturday’s fight, his record was 34-2-2 (23 KOs), a stark reminder of what could have been.
Against Guinean newcomer Andres Martinez in Brooklyn, the 46-year-old fought to a close draw. While the result was met with polite applause, what was more vital was his presence at all – a convicted felon turned comeback contender sharing the spotlight on one of boxing’s biggest nights.
Ed Diller
From pretender to cautionary tale
Khurtsidze’s fall remains one of the most dramatic collapses in sports. Once a fierce challenger known for punishing hooks and relentless pressure, he now fights in the shadow of his past – a man whose life has led from world title contention to courtroom interrogations and prison violence.
His years behind bars may have slowed him down, but his return – scarred, defiant and still full of energy – highlights the ruthless nature of boxing. While he may never again reach the global level that was once deemed inevitable, Avtandil Khurtsidze’s story is no longer about titles. It’s about survival, resilience and getting back into the ring against all odds.
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Phil Jay is experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global combat scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN).Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and the most vital boxing evenings in the ring were reported.
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The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
Raizd announced the deal on Instagram on Monday, posting: “Official: Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramirez signs with RAIZD BOXING. World-class addition. Former WBO World Featherweight Champion. Two-time Olympic gold medalist. Welcome to the team, Robeisy.”
For a startup that is still building its name, this is a robust impulse. For everyone else, it encourages questions. There has been no evident move from Zuffa Boxing, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions or other major teams that often pursue recognizable talent.
When a two-time Gold Medalist hits the open market and the Massive Four don’t pull the trigger. Raizd Boxing is basically a ghost ship right now. They are so modern that they haven’t even held their first event yet.
As for why the giants have stayed away, it probably comes down to a combination of time, shelf life and the ongoing business changes many of these companies are making.
At 126 pounds, 32 is on the older side. Promoters are notoriously wary of small-time fighters who have just had a career-changing break. Perhaps they would prefer to wait and see if he has anything left before signing him to an high-priced multi-fight contract.
While Dana White is finally taking action, Zuffa is aggressively targeting younger, buzz-worthy talent like Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins. Ramirez is 32 years aged and had a brutal knockout loss to Rafael Espinoza in December. Zuffa could see him as a veteran of damaged goods rather than a fundamental piece of their launch.
Ramirez may not have the same shine he had when he fled Cuba or when he beat Shakur Stevenson in the amateurs, but fighters with that kind of experience rarely hit the open market.
His recent form likely played a role. Ramirez is 14-3 with nine knockouts and has lost two of his last three fights, with both losses coming to Rafael Espinoza, including a stoppage in the rematch. At 32 years aged, he is no longer a long-term project that can be slowly developed.
Still, there is a clear advantage if handled properly. Ramirez remains a talented southpaw with the pedigree, experience and enough reputational value to quickly become relevant again at featherweight or above. If it combines wins, larger promoters may regret letting startup Raizd make the first move.
This marks the 27-year-old’s first victory since 2023, when he edged Oscar Duarte in the eighth round before his controversial fight with Devin Haney.
Despite a majority decision advantage over Haney, that result was declared a no-contest in April 2024 after “King Ry” tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.
Benn also failed a 2022 drug test ahead of his canceled fight against Chris Eubank Jr, whom he ultimately defeated in a middleweight rematch last November.
This followed a points defeat to Eubank in April 2025, although earlier this month Benn remained in the win column, ahead of Regis Prograis, who subsequently announced his retirement.
However, despite his last fight at 150 pounds, the 29-year-old now wants to capitalize on his No. 1 ranking in the WBC and fight Garcia.
I’m talking to ESNEWSformer two-division world champion Bradley gave Benn little more than a prayer against Garcia.
“Ryan knocks him out.”
As the top contender for the WBC welterweight title, Benn is expected to be ordered to fight Garcia in the not-too-distant future, even if ongoing negotiations fail.
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