Arslanbek Makhmudov has vowed to do ‘every thing he can’ to safe a battle in opposition to unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk will renew his rivalry with Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on December 21 following their Could showdown in Riyadh which noticed the Ukrainian turn into the primary undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years after a split-decision win.
Makhmudov has little question will probably be simply as hard-fought the second time round, though he expects Fury to have learnt from the primary bout after he was badly harm by Usyk within the ninth spherical.
“It was a close fight until Fury got knocked down [into the ropes],” Makhmudov instructed Sky Sports activities. “Before that it was a close fight, but Usyk is a problem for any heavyweight.
“He’s so quick and the second factor is the footwork. He has good cardio and that is why the second battle, I do not know the place it goes.
“It will be interesting, but Fury is a smart guy and will understand what he has to do and what he has to fix.”
Makhmudov has been on the fringes of world title competition after compiling a 19-1 document since turning skilled in 2017, with 18 stoppages underlining his hard-hitting fame.
The 35-year-old Russian, who packing containers out of Montreal in Canada, has made no secret of his want to face Fury prior to now and nonetheless harbours that ambition, having visualised a sport plan of how he would tackle the British star.
Nonetheless, he would fortunately tackle a conflict with Usyk if the unbeaten 37-year-old retains the WBC, WBO and WBA belts.
“If I fought Fury, it’s the same way [as Usyk] – go to attack,” Makhmudov mentioned.
“Taking part in with Fury, it is not possible as a result of he has an excellent IQ. There’s one solution to go in and battle with him, and that is it.
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“If I have a chance to fight [Usyk], of course. Why not? We’ll go. I will do everything I can do.”
The IBF belt, the final remaining main world title, is within the arms of Daniel Dubois, who was upgraded from interim to full champion after Usyk relinquished the belt, and he defends the title in opposition to Anthony Joshua on September 21, reside on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
Arslanbek totally expects Joshua to regain the primary heavyweight world title belt he gained in opposition to Charles Martin in 2016.
“I think I would go more with Joshua, because Joshua has more experience and even more boxing skills,” Makhmudov mentioned.
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Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois have been pulled aside by safety forward of their first press convention
“Dubois is a young, explosive guy, but I think Joshua has more experience.”
Makhmudov makes no secret of his world title ambitions, though is aware of he’s amongst a crop of heavyweights beneath the division’s elite jostling to drive their approach into the championship image.
One other beautiful stoppage victory on this weekend’s match-up with former World Sequence of Boxing opponent Guido Vianella for the person nicknamed ‘The Lion’, reside on Sky Sports activities, will surely drive folks to sit down up and take discover.
No matter it takes although, Makhmudov is set to be taking up one of many world title holders sooner fairly than later.
“It is my goal, of course, to fight for the world title,” Makhmudov mentioned. “That’s why we’re here and I will do everything to get this fight.”
Watch Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Guido Vianello, reside on Sky Sports activities Motion from 1am on Sunday. Additionally stream with NOW.
