Arslanbek Makhmudov claims Anthony Joshua promised him a fight

The large fights successful the satellite of boxing often commencement earlier the doorbell rings. Thus, 35-year-old Arslanbek Makhmudov could soon get the accidental of a beingness - a combat against Anthony Joshua. But for that to happen, helium indispensable archetypal decision British combatant Dave Allen this Saturday astatine the Sheffield Arena.

The gangly Russian (198 cm), known for his devastating punch, presently has a grounds of 20 wins and 2 losses, and adjacent 19 matches ended with a knockout. However, defeats to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello earnestly slowed his rise. Another failure, particularly against Allen, who is considered an experienced but not elite fighter, could wholly extinguish his dreams of large fights and earnings.

A committedness that could alteration everything

Makhmudov revealed that the British champion personally sent him a connection via Instagram, giving him other motivation: 

“Joshua told maine that if I triumph this fight, past I volition combat him. He said we tin bash it adjacent year, God willing.”

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Russian added: “Hopefully aft the adjacent triumph I volition get a large opportunity.”

He aboriginal confirmed to “Seconds Out” erstwhile again: “Yes, that’s right, I spoke to Joshua and helium promised maine that we volition combat adjacent twelvemonth (if I bushed Allen).”

On the different hand, the 35-year-old Briton has not stepped into the ringing since September past year, erstwhile helium suffered a dense knockout decision to Daniel Dubois. He subsequently had elbow country and has lone precocious returned to afloat training.

His squad is already readying a instrumentality successful aboriginal 2026, astir apt successful January oregon February. If Makhmudov fulfills his portion of the woody and records a triumph successful Sheffield, determination is simply a bully accidental that adjacent twelvemonth we volition witnesser a duel betwixt Joshua and “The Russian Lion” – a combat that could ignite the full heavyweight scene.

We tin surely expect absorbing things erstwhile it comes to these 2 fighters.