Few boxers can match the towering Tyson Fury in size and stature. However, the imposing Arslanbek Mahmudov approaches.
A 6-foot-6, 265-pound power puncher, the Canadian-based Russian is definitely intimidating.
Mahmudov is a formidable person. His social media accounts show off his unique training methods. He has posted videos of himself getting hit with a sledgehammer, exercising in deep mountain snow, and appearing to wrestle with a bear.
He can certainly be dangerous in the ring, especially early on. In his professional career, he has 13 first-round knockouts. The 36-year-old, affectionately known as “Lion,” boasts a hard-hitting knockout rate of 90 percent.
Mahmudov was not only trained by his lifestyle, but was also an experienced amateur boxer. He competed at the top level, facing Olympic champion Roberton Camarel in 2009 and defeating Mahamadrasul Majidov in 2011. Majidov would go on to win the World Championship later that year, defeating Anthony Joshua in the final.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Andy Scott explains why Tyson Fury is coming out of retirement and provides insight into his opponent Arslanbek Mahmudov.
Mahmudov also KO’d Mihai Nistor, the only amateur boxer to stop AJ.
He faced a Romanian in the World Series of Boxing. The World Series is a brutal form of the sport that pits elite amateurs against each other in five-round contests in pro-style leagues. Mahmudov has competed in 17 of the WSB contests, which served as his testing ground.
He relocated to Canada and turned professional under Mark Ramsey, the trainer behind another formidable power puncher, former undisputed light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Could Arslanbek Makhmudov be a real threat to Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at heavyweight?
At the start of his professional career, he raced to 18-0, picking up wins over gatekeepers like Mariusz Wach and Carlos Takam along the way.
Mahmudov faced undefeated Agit Kabayer in 2023. The German handled him, dropping him three times and stopping him within four rounds. However, Kabayer has since proven himself to be a world-class operator, especially with his stunning knockout win over Zhang Zhilei, and is now the interim WBC title holder and a strong challenger to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Mahmudov suffered another loss to Italian Olympian Guido Vianello, who had actually recorded a victory as an amateur.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Italy’s Guido Vianello scored a huge eighth-round TKO victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov after doctors called the fight over due to eye damage to the Russian heavyweight.
Most recently, he put up a strong showing, overwhelming Doncaster favorite Dave Allen, winning a unanimous decision in October last year.
Why is it his “dream” to defeat Fury?
Ten years ago, Mahmudov was an amateur boxer who watched Fury dethrone Wladimir Klitschko to become unified world champion and become the world’s leading heavyweight champion.
Since then, Makhmudov wanted to fight him. His wish will come true when the match takes place in England on April 11th.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the highlights of Arslanbek Makhmudov’s dominant TKO victory over Rafael Akpejoli.
Mahmudov told Sky Sports News: “For me, this is a dream fight. It was a lifelong dream to fight him, even before he made his professional debut 10 years ago. It was a dream to fight him because he was already a world champion.”
“I’m very happy he chose me. I did a good job against Dave Allen in October, so I think the English fans know me now and it’s going to be an interesting fight.”
“I feel good about myself. I have some losses, but everyone has some losses. The last few wins have given me good confidence in myself, so I feel great.
“I’m going to do my best, do my job, and try to win.”
