Arslanbek Makhmudov says he’s spoken to Anthony Joshua and they’ve agreed to fight in 2026 if he comes out victorious in his 12-round fight against British heavyweight Dave Allen this Saturday, October 11, at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.
AJ’s Dangerous Promise
It would be a dangerous fight for Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) to face the 6’5 1/2″ Makhmudov, as he’s powerful, hits hard, and is lethal in the early rounds. Joshua would have to come out slugging, or he’d wind up getting knocked out in the first couple of rounds by Makhmudov.
First, He Must Beat Dave Allen
Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) is being brought in an effort to use him as a stepping stone to get Allen a fight against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder next.
That fight, if it happens, is more about giving the 33-year-old veteran Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) an opportunity to make life-changing money to buy things like a nice house. Makhmudov has dreams of his own, much bigger ones, going up against Joshua in 2026.
Allen vs. Makhmudv will be shown live on DAZN this Saturday, October 11, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.
“You Give Me Words” — The Conversation
“I offered him to fight. He said, ‘Okay, next year we can do it.’ I said, ‘Okay, you give me words.’ He said, ‘Okay,’” said Arslanbek Makhmudov to Boxing News about a recent conversation he’d had with Anthony Joshua.
Promoter Eddie Hearn still hasn’t named who he wants Joshua to fight in early 2026, other than Jake Paul. That fight will depend on whether Jake wins his November 14 exhibition match against Gervonta Davis.
“It’s a good opportunity for a sport. He lost against two guys [Mihai Nistor and Mahammadrasul Majidov] in the European championship and world championship. I beat these two guys,” said Makhmudov about Joshua.
Both fighters have shown vulnerability lately. Makhmudov has suffered knockout losses to Guido Vianello and Agit Kabayel. For his part, Joshua has lost to Daniel Dubois and twice to Oleksandr Usyk in the last four years since 2021.
“We have the same symmetry. Same tall, same weight and same age,” said Arlsanbek about him and AJ.
Last Updated on 10/08/2025
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