Arslanbek Makhmudov Plans To Adapt For Tyson Fury’s Style

Russian heavyweight contender Arslanbek Makhmudov secured the biggest fight of his career, with it being confirmed yesterday that he will collide with former two-time heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in the United Kingdom on April 11. A specific venue has not yet been announced.

Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) has spun his career around since losing twice by stoppage in three fights. A fourth-round demise against Agit Kabayel in Saudi Arabia, followed by an eighth-round defeat to Guido Vianello eight months later, saw Makhmudov’s career slipping away from him.

However, the six-foot-six colossus rebounded with a first-round knockout victory against the undefeated Ricardo Brown and then defeated Dave Allen in England by unanimous decision. He switched his style against the likeable Yorkshireman at Sheffield Arena, boxing his way through to victory with scores of 117-109, 116-110, and 115-111, while also being deducted two points for holding.

“Listen,” Makhmudov told FightsATW, “It’s not that I changed [my style], I adapted. It’s a big difference! I adapted because if you see, I start my fights like I usually start, I start with an aggressive attack. I punched him, and I saw that this guy had a good chin, so I understood him. I adapted and changed my style because my aggressive style didn’t work with him.”

Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) possesses a far greater challenge than Allen despite being inactive for over a year. The Gypsy King’s last two fights were back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed supremacy.

“A good boxer is not someone who can do just one thing,” Makhmudov explained. “A good boxer can go aggressive and also do boxing. He can do everything. I will see the situation when the fight happens, and we will see which is the best way to win.”

Fury-Makhmudov will air live on Netflix, in association with Ring Magazine and Riyadh Season. Speculation is growing that the contest will take place at Wembley Stadium, a 90,000-capacity venue in London.

Adam Noble-Forcey

Adam is a regular contributor to FightsATW and serves as the Online Editor for Germany’s longest-running boxing publication, BoxSport Magazin. He has covered the sport for over a decade, contributing to leading platforms including BoxingScene, Seconds Out, Boxing Social, and Pro Boxing Fans. In addition to his written work, Adam is a lead boxing commentator across Europe, calling fights in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Latvia, Albania, and the United Kingdom.

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