
Makhmudov And Vianello Clash In A Bid To Land Major Heavyweight Contest
In an interesting heavyweight clash, Arslanbek Makhmudov will take on Guido Vianello in a 10-rounder in Quebec on August 17.
Arslanbek Makhmudov: record, next fight and profile →

In an interesting heavyweight clash, Arslanbek Makhmudov will take on Guido Vianello in a 10-rounder in Quebec on August 17.



Arslanbek Makhmudov’s status as the heavyweight division’s dark horse ended abruptly with a disappointing stoppage defeat to Agit Kabayel last December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Makhmudov’s night started to sour as soon as the first round and it deteriorated quickly, hitting the canvas three times on way to first career defeat in the fourth round.

Purse bids set for the fight for the vacant EBU heavyweight title between Granit Shala (15-0) and Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce (15-2) this week, but Joyce pulled out like Daniel Dubois had before him.

By Keith Idec - Robeisy Ramirez’s optional opponent stood 6-foot-1, highly unusual for featherweights. Rafael Espinoza still wasn’t supposed to be this tall of an order for the heavily favored former WBO 126-pound champion December 9. It was evident early in their 12-round title fight, though, that the relentless Espinoza posed problems for Ramirez that the Cuban southpaw didn’t anticipate in what emerged as BoxingScene.com’s 2023 “Upset of the Year.”

In one of the bigger surprises last weekend, heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel battered and stopped Arslanbek Makhmudov in four rounds of action. Their fight was part of the big 'Day of Reckoning' card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Kabayel, Makhmudov Fight Photos Gallery - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - European champion Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs) pulled off an unexpected shocker with a fourth round knockout of undefeated puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs) in four rounds. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - European champion Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs) pulled off an unexpected shocker with a fourth round knockout of undefeated puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs) in four rounds.

Arslanbek Makhmudov anticipates much more resistance Saturday night than he encountered during his first fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia eight weeks earlier.