‘You promised me this fight'”

Arslanbek Makhmudov wants Anthony Joshua to keep his promise to fight him next, after saying he would if he beat British heavyweight Dave Allen.

Allen paid the price in punishment

The hulking 6’5 1/2″ Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) lived up to his end of the bargain, defeating Allen via a 12-round unanimous decision on October 11th. It was a fight that should have stopped at Allen’s corner by the eleventh round as he soaked up a lot of punishment from the powerful punches of Makhmudov.

AJ’s promise on record

“I am waiting for you and ready for you,” said Arslanbek Makhmudov Sky Sports Boxing. “We have to fight to see who can stay and who can win.”

Fighting Joshua would offer the 36-year-old, Russian-born Makhmudov a career-high payday, potentially setting him up for life financially. It’s understandable why he’s pushing Joshua now to give him the fight he said he would.

“We already talked to me before the fight with AJ. He gave me a promise we’re going to fight if I win this fight with (Allen) that he’s going to fight with me,” says Makhmudov.

Those shots Makhmudov hit Dave Allen with would be hard for Joshua to withstand without hitting the deck once or twice if he next faced the hulking ‘Lion’. Could the 36-year-old Joshua take those punches? It is doubtful whether he could.

“Listen, guys, after the fight, you’re gonna love me, guys. You’re gonna love me, guys,” Arslanbek said, sending a message to British fans.

Olly Campbell’s verdict: Joshua’s silence speaks volumes

It would be a good idea for Makhmudov not to hold his breath and wait for Joshua to fight him. He recently said he will fight Daniel Dubois again to avenge his fifth round knockout loss on September 21, 2024. He didn’t do it. What does that tell you? This suggests that Joshua is unreliable in keeping his word about fighting someone.

AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has not mentioned who could be next for his “run out” fight in December. Picking Arslanbek will require Hearn to trust Joshua as he will have to eat some heavy shots.

Makhmudov is not easy for anyone, not even the two heavyweights who have stopped him recently, Guido Vianello and Agit Kabayel. These fighters had to walk through some big punches to score Makhmudov’s stoppages.