Arslanbek Makhmudov insists his upcoming bout with Tyson Fury is about far more than a lucrative payday. The hard-hitting Russian heavyweight has been named as Fury’s comeback opponent, with the pair set to meet on April 11 in the United Kingdom, marking the biggest fight of Makhmudov’s nine-year professional career.
Makhmudov admitted he had been aware of the fight discussions for months and struggled to keep the news quiet. He said preparations have consumed his focus, stressing that everything else will be addressed only after the Fury fight is complete. While Fury’s return from retirement surprised some, Makhmudov said the opportunity represented exactly the kind of challenge he had been seeking.
The 36-year-old enters the bout on the back of consecutive wins, most notably a clear unanimous decision over Dave Allen last October in Sheffield. That victory followed a difficult period in which Makhmudov suffered the first two losses of his career, including a knockout defeat to Agit Kabayel in December 2023 and an eighth-round stoppage loss to Guido Vianello. Since then, he has rebuilt momentum with wins over Ricardo Brown and Allen.
Fury, meanwhile, has not fought since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 and will return at age 37 following a 16-month absence. His recent form has included a narrow escape against Francis Ngannou and back-to-back losses to Usyk.
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